Enhancement in the absorption of water and electrolytes from rat intestine by Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. root (water extract).
Hemidesmus indicus root in the form of suspension in water (10 mg/ml) containing 15.5 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl and 12 mM glucose, when injected into the ligated jejunal sac (1 ml/sac) of rat, increased the absorption of water, Na(+) and K(+) (but not glucose) from the sac. This bioactivity was present in the water extract (5 or 10 mg/sac) of the root and not in the hexane extract. In contrast, the ethanol extract decreased the absorption of water and electrolytes from the jejunal sac. The effect of water extract was not affected by heat at 100 degrees C for 30 min. Intraperitoneal administration of the water extract (50 to 200 mg/kg) was devoid of any significant effect on the jejunal absorption. Neither the root suspension nor the water extract (125-500 mg/kg) showed any significant anti-ulcer and diuretic activities in rats. The intestinal motility was also not influenced by the root (water extract) when tested in mice. The present study indicates that H. indicus root powder or its water extract can be incorporated in oral rehydrating salt solution (ORS) for increasing its anti-diarrhoeal efficacy.
Division of Ethnomedicine and Ethnopharmacology Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute Pacha-Palode, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala, India.
D A
DA
Evans
S
S
Rajasekharan
A
A
Subramoniam
D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D031102:Hemidesmus; D007213:Indomethacin; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D004573:Electrolytes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water; D007213:Indomethacin