• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.64-67
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• 2003

The purgative activities of Whangryunhaedoktang (WT), Chunghyuldan (CD) and Rhei Rhizoma were measured to choose herbal formulae available for stroke patients suffering from constipation. When the laxative activity of Rhei Rhizoma and CD (the same dose as Rhei Rhizoma) compared, Rhei Rhizoma was more potent than CD. WT contained Gardeniae Fructus, which has been used as a laxative, as a ingredient. Nevertheless, WT did not show the purgative activity. WT and CD did not stimulate the transportation of small intestine. However, CD weakly stimulated the transportation of large intestine than Rhei Rhizoma. Accordingly, we believe that CD can be used as a useful purgative for stroke patients with constipation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.649-661
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• 2020

This study examined the laxative effects of hot-water extracts of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (HD), Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel (PM), and a 2:8 mixture of both (HP) in two chronic constipation models. For the loperamide-induced constipation model, animals were divided into an untreated group, negative control group (loperamide 4 mg/kg), positive control group (bisacodyl 4 mg/kg) group, and six treatment groups (HP 100 or 400, HD 50 or 100, and PM 100 or 400 mg/kg). For the low-fiber diet-induced constipation model, animals were divided into an untreated group (normal diet), negative control group (low-fiber diet), positive control group (Agio granule, 620 mg/kg), and the same treatment groups. Fecal number, weight, fecal water content, and intestinal transit ratio were higher in the groups treated with HP, HD, and PM than in the groups treated with loperamide or low-fiber diet. Thickness of colon mucosa and muscle layers were increased in the treated groups. Colon tension increased in the HP groups, and [Ca²⁺]i measurements using fura-2 as an indicator showed that HP inhibits ATP-mediated Ca²⁺ influx in IEC-18 cells. These results showed that the HP mixture has laxative activity by increased mucin secretion and inducing contractile activity and relaxation. It may be a useful therapeutic strategy for ameliorating in chronic constipation.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.223-231
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• 2018

Regulation of gastrointestinal hormones have been reported in animal models for constipation undergoing laxative therapy when administered herbal products. We undertook to investigate whether the laxative activity of gallotannin-enriched extracts isolated from Galla Rhois (GEGR) affects the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones, by examining the concentration of four hormones and the activation of their receptors in the loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation model. Stool parameters, including number, weight and water content, were significantly recovered in the Lop+GEGR treated group, relative to the Lop+ vehicle treated group; however, food intake and water consumption were maintained at a constant level. Also, a similar recovery was detected for thickness of mucosa, muscle and flat luminal surface in the Lop+GEGR treated group. Furthermore, concentration of the four gastrointestinal hormones evaluated, namely, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastrin (GAS), somatostatin (SS) and motilin (MTL), were lower in the Lop+vehicle treated group than the No treated group, but were remarkably enhanced in the Lop+GEGR treated group. Moreover, the downstream signaling pathway of MTL and SS receptors were recovered after GEGR administration. Results of the present study therefore indicate that the laxative effects of GEGR treatment may be tightly related with the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones in the Lopinduced constipation model.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.72-80
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a constipation reduction program for inpatients. Method: Subjects were selected in one medical ward of C University Hospital from May, 2001 to November, 2001. Twenty-nine subjects were assigned to an experimental group and 32 subjects to a control group. Data related to the frequency of defecation and to the length and amount of laxative drugs used was collected by a medical record review and data on the degree of constipation was obtained by a self-report using a constipation assessment scale. Results: More than 90% of the subjects admitted in the department of neurology and one third of total subjects presented with activity limitation and about one fourth of the subjects were fed with a nasogastric tube. There was a significant difference in the degree of constipation, frequency of defecation, and the length and amount of laxative drug use between the two groups. Conclusion: This program is effective in inpatient's constipation reduction. Further studies need to apply this program in various clinical environments and properly use this program in different clinical settings.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.90-93
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• 2002

The purgative activity of Seunggitang prescriptions (Deseunggitang, Soseunggitang and Joweseunggitang) was measured to compare the laxative potency of these herbal prescriptions. Daeseunggitang and Jowiseunggitang more potently stimulated the transportation of small and large intestine than Rhei Rhizoma alone. However, the small and large intestine transportation activities of Soseunggitang were similar to those of Rhei Rhizoma alone. Soseunggitang inhibited nitrite production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and trypsin than the other Seunggitangs. The inhibitory activity of Jowiseunggitang was more potent on nitrite production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells than those of Daeseunggitang. These results suggest that Daeseunggitang can be used as a emergent purgative for patients with severe fever and constipation, Soseunggitang can be as a mild purgative for chronic constipation with inflammation and Jowiseunggitang can be as a potent purgative for patients for severe constipation and weak colitis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.91-94
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• 1998

In folklore medicine Drymaria cordata Willd (Family-Caryophyllaceae) is reported to have laxative and anti-febrile properties along with anti-inflammatory activities. Sikkimis used this plant to treat all these ailments. The anti-inflammatory effect of the methanol extract of D. cordata was investigated against carrageenin, histamine, serotonin, dextran and $PGE_1$ induced rat hind paw oedema. It exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity against all these phlogestic agents except $PGE_1$ in the order of carrageenin > serotonin > histamine. All these effects were compared with standard drug phenylbutazone in both the acute and chronic experimental models in albino rats.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.406-411
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• 2013

Rumex crispus (Curled Dock, Polygonaceae) is a perennial wild plant used in traditional medicine as a laxative, astringent, and to treat blood and skin disease. The ethanol extract of R. crispus was obtained and its carbohydrate contents were analyzed using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. The anabolic effects of R. crispus in human osteoblastic MG-63 cells were investigated using the WST-8 assay, alkalinephosphatase (ALP) assay, and mineralization assay. The ethanol extract increased the proliferation of MG-63 cells and stimulated ALP activity in a dose-dependent manner over a 72-hrs period. Additionally, the ethanol extract dose-dependently stimulated the formation of bone nodules in MG-63 cells treated for 12 days. The ethyl acetate fraction from the ethanol extract did not affect osteoblast viability but induced an increase in ALP activity. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of R. crispus increases the proliferation and bone-forming activity of osteoblasts, and hence it could be used in the development of bone-forming stimulatory nutraceuticals and osteoporosis-related medicines.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.280-286
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• 2017

Barbaloin is a major component of Aloe vera, which has been used for a laxative. Also, barbaloin is C-glucoside of aloe emodin anthrone which is founded in Aloe vera. Barbaloin has varieties of pharmacological activity such as inhibitory effects on inflammation, histamine release, cancer and microbial infection. But the effect of barbaloin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages has not been understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of barbaloin against LPS-stimulated production of nitric oxide (NO), inflammatory cytokines and MAPKs activation in macrophage. We treated barbaloin (0.1, 1, 10, $100{\mu}M$) in LPS-stimulated mice peritoneal macrophage. Our results showed that barbaloin significantly inhibited production of NO and cytokines of tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ in LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophage. Moreover, barbaloin inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and JNK in a dose dependent manner. These results indicated that barbaloin could be useful for inflammatory diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.58 no.5
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• pp.307-313
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• 2014

Rumex crispus (curled dock), which is a perennial wild plant, has long been used as a laxative, astringent, and medicine to treat blood and skin diseases. We recently reported that the roots of R. crispus are an effective nutraceutical for bone. This study prepared ethanol extracts of the leaves and roots of R. crispus, and analyzed the major constituents using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. In addition, their effects on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells, such as cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, collagen content, and mineralization, were compared. The chromatograms of the chemical constituents of the two extracts exhibited quite different profiles: quercetin and quercitrin were identified as major peaks in the leaf extract, whereas cinnamtannin B1 and procyanidin isomers were the major peaks for the root extract. Neither extract was cytotoxic at concentrations of < $25{\mu}g/ml$. ALP activity and collagen synthesis-which are markers of the early stage of osteogenesis-in MG-63 cells were significantly increased upon the addition of the root extract compared with the addition of the leaf extract. In contrast, the leaf extract had a more stimulatory effect on mineralization-which is marker of the late stage of osteogenesis-in MG-63 cells than did the root extract. In conclusion, extracts of both leaves and roots of R. crispus stimulated the bone-forming activity of osteoblasts; in particular, the root extract was more effective in the early stage of osteoblast differentiation, while the leaf extract was more effective in the late stage. This difference in anabolic activity may be due to differences in the constituents of the leaves and roots. The leaves and roots of R. crispus appear to complement each other as stimulators of bone formation.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2016

Snake tomato (Trichosanthes cucumerina) has been cultivated and used as a replacement for Lycopersicum esculentum in many Asian and African diets. Matured T. cucumerina fruits were harvested at different ripening stages and separated into coats and pulps for analyses to determine their suitability for use in culinary. They were analyzed for the nutritional composition and antioxidant potential using different biochemical assays [1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities, and ferric reducing antioxidant power] and antioxidative enzymes activities. The nutritional composition revealed that T. cucumerina contains over 80% water and is very rich in fiber, thus it can serve as a good natural laxative. The lycopene and ${\beta}$-carotene contents were especially high in the ripe pulp with values of $21.62{\pm}1.22$ and $3.96{\pm}0.14mg$/100 g, respectively. The ascorbic acid content was highest in the pulp of unripe fruit with a value of $56.58{\pm}1.08mg$/100 g and significantly (P<0.05) decreased as ripening progressed. The antioxidant potential of the fruits for the 3 assays showed that unripe pulp> ripe coat> ripe pulp> unripe coat. There were decreases in the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) activities, with the exception of catalase, as ripening progressed in the fruits. These decreased activities may lead to the softening of the fruit during ripening. Harnessing the antioxidative potential of T. cucumerina in culinary through consumption of the coats and pulps will alleviate food insecurity and help maintain good health among many dwellers in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia.