NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester reduces senna- and cascara-induced diarrhoea and fluid secretion in the rat.
Senna (60 mg/kg orally) and cascara (800 mg/kg orally)-induced diarrhoea and net fluid secretion were studied in rats for a time period of 1-8 h. NG-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (2.5-25 mg/kg i.p. twice, 15 min before and 4 h after laxative administration), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, reduced the diarrhoeal response. This effect was counteracted by L-arginine (600 and 1500 mg/kg i.p. 15 min before laxative administration), the precursor of nitric oxide (NO). The senna- and cascara-stimulated fluid secretion was reduced by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester 25 mg/kg i.p. (twice, 15 min before and 4 h after laxative administration), while the stereoisomer NG-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME) 25 mg/kg i.p. was without effect. These results suggest a possible involvement of NO in senna- and cascara-induced diarrhoea and fluid secretion.
Izzo
A A
AA
Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
Gaginella
T S
TS
Mascolo
N
N
Borrelli
F
F
Capasso
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism*; D002400:Cathartics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003106:Colon / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D031955:Rhamnus; D012676:Senna Extract
D002400:Cathartics; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D012676:Senna Extract; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester