Effects of essential oil from Croton tiglium L. on intestinal transit in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Croton tiglium (Croton tiglium L., Euphorbiaceae) is widely used as a herb for treatment of gastrointestinal disturbances. Previous studies established its purgative and inflammational properties. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Croton tiglium oil (CO) on intestinal transit in mice.


METHODS
Gastrointestinal transit in mice and contractile characteristics of isolated intestinal strips from mice were evaluated. Intestinal inflammation was confirmed by histological examination.


RESULTS
Low dose of CO increased the gastrointestinal transit of charcoal and barium meal as well as the production of fecal pellets in mice. In contrast, high dose exerted inhibitory effects. For normal colonic circular strips, both high and low dose of CO inhibited the contractile frequency. Low doses (0-20 microg/ml) of CO enhanced the phasic contractions, while high doses (>40 microg/ml) reduced them. Colonic longitudinal strips in CO-treated mice were less sensitive to electrical field stimulation than those in control mice. The contraction of colonic longitudinal, colonic and jejunal circular strips in CO-treated mice was more sensitive to atropine than that in control mice.


CONCLUSIONS
CO might modulate gastrointestinal motility and induce intestinal inflammation related to immunological milieu and motor activity. Our findings may highlight the ethno-medical uses of Croton tiglium on intestinal disorders.
Wang
Xin
X
State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Institute of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Changle West Road, Xi'an 710032, China.
Zhang
FaMing
F
Liu
ZhenXiong
Z
Feng
HanZhong
H
Yu
Zhi Bin
ZB
Lu
Yuanyuan
Y
Zhai
HuiHong
H
Bai
FeiHu
F
Shi
YongQuan
Y
Lan
Mei
M
Jin
JianPing
J
Fan
DaiMing
D
D000818:Animals; D001285:Atropine / Q000494:pharmacology; D029802:Croton / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000494:pharmacology*
D009822:Oils, Volatile; D001285:Atropine