Affiliations 

  • 1 Unit of Excellence in Research and Product Development of Coffee, Division of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
  • 2 Department of Nutrition, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
  • 3 Center of Health Outcomes Research and Therapeutic Safety (Cohorts), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand
J Med Food, 2020 Nov;23(11):1169-1175.
PMID: 32976072 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2020.4769

Abstract

Vietnamese coriander (Polygonum odoratum Lour.) is a plant native to northern Thailand. The biological activities of P. odoratum Lour. extract (POE) include antibacterial, antiviral, and expectorant. However, the effect of POE on intestinal smooth muscle motility is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relaxant effects of POE on isolated rat ileum. Propranolol (1 μM), calcium chloride (1-20 mM), and Nω-nitro-l-arginine methylester (l-NAME, 100 μM) were used to investigate the mechanisms of action. The results showed that POE (0.01-5 mg/mL) reduced KCl-induced contraction. In addition, POE (1 mg/mL) reduced the contraction by propranolol and l-NAME and attenuated CaCl2-induced contractions. Our results indicate that the relaxation effect of POE on ileum contractions seems to involve nitric oxide and β-adrenergic pathways, and blockade of calcium influx. These findings provide a pharmacological basis for the traditional use of POE to treat gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or diarrhea.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.