title: Prokinetic effect of a standardized yarrow (Achillea millefolium) extract and its constituent choline: studies in the mouse and human stomach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder characterized by alterations in gastric motility. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium L., Fam Asteraceae) preparations are traditional remedies used to treat dyspeptic complaints. Herein, we investigated the effect of a standardized dry water extract obtained from A. millefolium flowering tops (AME) on gastric motility.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of AME on motility was evaluated on the resting tone of the isolated gastric antrum and on gastric emptying in vivo (phenol red meal method) both in control mice and in the model of cancer chemotherapy (cisplatin)-induced gastric abnormalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The AME contracted mouse and human gastric strips and this action was unaffected by hexamethonium and tetrodotoxin, but strongly reduced by atropine. Among various chemical ingredients in yarrow, choline, but not the flavonoids rutin and apigenin, mimicked the action of AME. Furthermore, AME deprived of choline did not exert a contractile effect. In vivo, AME stimulated gastric emptying both in control and in cisplatin-treated mice, being more active in pathological states.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is concluded that (i) AME exerts a direct spasmogenic effect on gastric antrum; (ii) choline is the chemical ingredient responsible of such effect; (iii) the prokinetic effect of AME observed in vivo could provide the pharmacological basis underlying its traditional use in the treatment of dyspepsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. franborr@unina.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borrelli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fasolino
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tagliatatela-Scafati
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Aprea
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Capasso
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coppola Bottazzi
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Izzo
mesh_terms: D031162:Achillea; D000818:Animals; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts