title: Inhibition of intestinal motility and secretion by extracts of Epilobium spp. in mice.
abstract: Ethanol extracts of the fresh aerial parts of various Epilobium species were tested to elucidate the mechanism of their gastrointestinal activity in animals. The methods of charcoal meal, castor oil-induced diarrhoea, and enteropooling assay were used to evaluate their effect on mouse gut at various dose levels. The extracts were found to have a significant activity in all models. Moreover, the extracts resulted to possess very little toxicity. Thus, it can be concluded that Epilobium possesses anti-diarrhoeal, anti-motility, and anti-secretory activities and can prove beneficial in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy. fvitali@pharma.unime.it
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vitali
authors.forename: Giuseppina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fonte
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saija
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D002368:Castor Oil; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D031666:Epilobium; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007419:Intestinal Secretions / Q000187:drug effects*; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D000930:Antidiarrheals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002368:Castor Oil