Abstract
Several secondary metabolites have been isolated from Zornia brasiliensis (Leguminosae), mainly flavonoids. These compounds are known for many pharmacological actions, such as antispasmodic and antidiarrheal. Therefore, we evaluated the antidiarrheal effect of the ethanolic extract obtained from Zornia brasiliensis aerial parts (ZB-EtOHAP), as well as its underlying mechanisms. Castor-oil-induced diarrhea, fluid accumulation, and intestinal transit (normal and castor oil induced) were performed to assess the antidiarrheal, antisecretory, and antipropulsive activities of the extract. The involvement of opioid and adrenergic pathways was also investigated. ZB-EtOHAP inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, both total defecation frequency and the number of watery stools. The extract showed no effect on fluid accumulation or normal intestinal transit. On the other hand, when the animals were pretreated with castor oil, the extract decreased the distance traveled by the marker in the small intestine. Investigation of the involvement of opioid and adrenergic systems showed that the pharmacological potency of the extract did not change in the presence of naloxone, but it was reduced in the presence of yohimbine. The data indicate that Zornia brasiliensis has an antidiarrheal effect due to inhibition of the intestinal motility through adrenergic pathway activation.
Highlights
Diarrhea is an issue in the developing world and in the western world
According to phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract obtained from the aerial parts of Z. brasiliensis ( ZB-EtOHAP), several secondary metabolites have been isolated from this species, including saponins and terpenes, among others
The crude ethanolic extract yielded 11% of the weight of the initial plant material. e compounds quantified in ZBEtOHAP were 7-methoxyflavone (14.65%) and 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (7.44%)
Summary
Diarrhea is considered the most common worldwide cause of death of children under 5 years of age [1]. In this context, the World Health Organization (WHO) has encouraged studies for the treatment and prevention of diarrheal diseases based on traditional medicinal practices and use of natural resources [2]. Zornia brasiliensis Vogel is a herbaceous plant popularly known as urinana, urinaria, or carrapicho. It has been used in folk medicine as a diuretic and for venereal disease treatment [3]. Extracts obtained from Z. brasiliensis are mainly known for containing considerable amounts of flavonoids, such as 5hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, 7,4-dimethoxy-isoflavone, 7methoxyflavone, and 5,7-dimethoxyflavone [4,5,6]
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