Abstract
This study explores the pharmacological basis for the folk use of Fagonia indica in constipation using in vivo and in vitro assays. The crude extract of F. indica contained tannins, saponins, anthraquinones, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides and phenols. The administration of F. indica extract (100 and 300 mg/kg) to mice caused a partially atropine-sensitive 35 and 42.6% laxation, respectively, similar to ursolic acid which showed 22 and 36% laxation at 10 and 30 mg/kg, respectively. In loperamide-induced constipation mice, F. indica (27.3 and 34.6%) and ursolic acid (15 and 28%) also displayed laxative effects at the aforementioned doses. In mice and rats ileum, F. indica, its fractions (ethyl acetate, aqueous) and ursolic acid produced atropine-sensitive stimulatory effects, while in rats ileum, F. indica and aqueous fraction showed partially atropine-sensitive effects. F. indica and ursolic acid possess laxative and species-specific gut stimulant effects predominantly involving the activation of muscarinic receptor, thus eliciting its folk use in constipation.
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Highlights
Constipation is a common bowel disorder characterized by fewer than three bowel movements/week, hardened stool and incomplete defecation
F. indica was collected from the vicinity of Shorkot City, District Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan
When the laxative effects of F. indica (100 and 300 mg/kg), ursolic acid (10 and 30 mg/kg) and carbachol (1 mg/kg) were restudied in mice pretreated with atropine (10 mg/kg), the percent production of wet feces were significantly (p
Summary
Constipation is a common bowel disorder characterized by fewer than three bowel movements/week, hardened stool and incomplete defecation. Herbal medicines are beneficial over the drugs as they modify the stool consistency to make defecation easier rather than to defect the neuromuscular function of bowel, which produces undesirable effects. F. belongs to the family Zygophyllaceae, commonly known as dhamaaso or dhamaasa (medicinally) and dhama boti or saachi boti (in Urdu). It is a small spiny undershrub, mostly found globally in warm and arid regions (Gulshan et al, 2012; Ageely et al, 2014)
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