Effects of Funchicórea®, a Traditional Brazilian Herbal Complex, on Intestinal Motility in Healthy and Constipated Rodents
Valéria L. Assis
Department Pharmaceutical Food Science, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, P. O. Box 58.051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
Ana C. M. F. Veras
Department Pharmaceutical Food Science, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, P. O. Box 58.051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
Priscilla M. P. Maciel
Department Pharmaceutical Food Science, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, P. O. Box 58.051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
José G. F. Albuquerque
Department Pharmaceutical Food Science, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, P. O. Box 58.051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
Carmem Zancanella
Laboratório Melpoejo LTDA, P. O. Box 36.070-420, Juiz de Fora-MG, Brazil.
Jose Luiz Ritto
Laboratório Melpoejo LTDA, P. O. Box 36.070-420, Juiz de Fora-MG, Brazil.
Islania Giselia Albuquerque Araújo
Department Pharmaceutical Food Science, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, P. O. Box 58.051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
Robson C. Veras *
Department Pharmaceutical Food Science, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, P. O. Box 58.051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
Isac A. Medeiros
Department Pharmaceutical Food Science, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Paraíba, P. O. Box 58.051-970, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The traditional herbal medicinal product Funchicórea® has been widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of intestinal colic and constipation in newborns. However, no scientific data on the herbal product to prove its efficacy is available.
Aim of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the laxative and spasmolytic actions of Funchicórea®.
Materials and Methods: Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) and Swiss mice (Mus musculus) of both sex, were used. In vivo pharmacological assays were performed to evaluate the stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract, and in vitro studies to verify its spasmodic activity.
Results: Funchicórea® increased the motility of the small intestine in male mice at doses of 100 mg/kg (161.66±14.86 %, n=6) and 200 mg/kg (151.04±17.17 %, n=6) compared to control (100.00±10.49 %, n=6). However, this drug did not induce any change in intestinal transit in female mice. The intestinal transit of male mice treated with loperamide (3 mg/kg/day, during three days) was reduced 66.25±7.49 % (n=8) compared to the control group (100.00±5.16%, n=8) and we observed the normalization of the intestinal transit in constipated animals treated with Funchicórea® 100 mg/Kg (98.42±6.33 %, and 200 mg/kg (99.32±8.47%, n=7). Similar results were observed in the quantification for 24 hours of male and female rats faeces constipated by loperamide (3 mg/kg/day three days), however, in both animals groups treated with Funchicórea® 100 mg/kg (1.24±2.90 g, male; 3.60±0.80 g, female, n=6) and 200 mg/Kg (8.70±2.01 g, male, 10.03±1.30 g, female, n=6) the levels of faeces returned to basal values compared to constipated group (4.01±1.43 g, male; 1.70±0.10 g, female, n=6). In addition, Funchicórea® (0.01-1000 μg/mL) elicited relaxation in rat ileum pre-contracted by KCl 40 mM (Emax=97.5±7.0 %, n=7) and carbachol (1 μM, Emax=100.0±7.0 %, n=7).
Conclusion: The results obtained demonstrated that the herbal medicine Funchicórea® acts by stimulating the intestine of rats and mice and has spasmolytic activity in isolated rat ileum.
Keywords: Traditional herbal medicine, Gastrointestinal tract, Loperamide induced constipation, laxative, spasmolytic, calcium.