Kolaviron modulates intestinal motility and secretion in experimentally altered gut functions of Wistar rats

Abstract

Aim: The effect of kolaviron, a complex of Garcinia kola (GK) naturally rich in bioflavonoid, was investigated on intestinal motility and secretion in altered gut functions of rats. Methods: Four experiments were carried out using Male Wistar rats, (189.1 ± 3.5 g). The first was for intestinal transit with charcoal meal, and rats were grouped into 4 (n=5/group in all experiment): Control (DMSO); Atropine (5 mg/kg), 100 mg/kg (KV100) and 200 mg/kg (KV200) kolaviron groups respectively. Experiments 2 and 3 were to assess diarrhea and enteropooling respectively; the animals were grouped into 6: negative control (DMSO), positive control (castor oil), Atropine (5 mg/kg), Loperamide (3 mg/kg), KV100 and KV200 respectively. Experiment 4 was to determine colonic motility and it consist of 5 groups, negative control (DMSO), and positive control (Serotonin, 5 mg/kg, ip), Atropine (5 mg/kg), KV100 and KV200 in turn. Results: Kolaviron significantly decrease intestinal transit in similar way to atropine group, KV200 (27.3%), KV100 (25.7%) compared with control. The onset of diarrhea was prolonged significantly while episodes of loose stool and purging index decreased significantly with loperamide (111.0 min, 0.4 ± 0.2, 0.1) and KV200 (128.8 min, 2.6 ± 0.7, 2.0) compared with control (52.6 min, 6.6 ± 1.0, 15.6), respectively. Kolaviron significantly reduced luminal fluid in KV100 (1.04 ± 0.17 mL) and KV200 (0.62 ± 0.21 mL) compared with control (1.70 ± 0.18 mL). Colonic motility was delayed in KV200 (182 ±18.7 sec) compared with control (139 ± 8.72 sec). Conclusion: Kolaviron exhibits potent anti-motility and -secretory activities on destabilized gut homeostasis and could be the major compound of Garcinia kola responsible for previously reported antidiarrheal effect.