Rationalization of Traditional Uses of Berberis lycium in Gastrointestinal Disorders.
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Date
2013-10
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Abstract
Aims: Berberis lycium (Sumbal) is abundantly available in the northern areas of Pakistan
and extensively used in local practice for the treatment of several human diseases. The
objective of this study was to explore pharmacological basis for its use in gastrointestinal
disorders.
Materials and Methods: Crude aqueous (Bl.Aq) and methanolic (Bl.Meth) extracts of B.
lycium were studied on isolated gut preparations of rabbit (jejunum) and guinea pig
(ileum) by using in-vitro techniques. Tissues were mounted in tissue organ baths
assembly containing physiological salt (Tyrode's) solution, maintained at 37ºC and
aerated with carbogen, to assess the spasmogenic and spasmolytic effect and to find out
the possible underlying mechanisms. Responses were measured on BioScience
Powerlab data acquisition system by using isotonic transducers.
Results: Phytochemical analysis indicates the presence of alkaloids, tannins and
saponins in Bl.Aq and Bl.Meth. when tested on spontaneously contracting isolated rabbit
jejunum, showed a dose-dependent spasmogenic effect at lower concentration (0.01-0.1
mg/mL) and (0.01-0.03 mg/mL), which was followed by spasmolytic effect at higher
concentration (0.3-1.0 mg/mL) and (0.1-0.3 mg/mL) respectively. Pretreatment of the tissue with atropine (0.1 μM) partially suppressed the contractile effect. Bl.Aq and
Bl.Meth caused complete inhibition of high K+ (80 mM)–induced contraction at 0.3 mg/mL
and 0.1 mg/mL respectively and also produced a dose-dependent (0.01-0.03 mg/mL)
rightward shift in the Ca++ concentration-response curve, similar to verapamil. When
tested in bolus protocol on isolated guinea pig ileum, Bl.Aq and Bl.Meth caused a dosedependent
spasmogenic effect at 0.01-0.1 mg/mL. Pretreatment of tissue with atropine
(0.1 μM) partially suppress the contractile effect.
Conclusions: Results indicate that spasmogenic effect was partially mediated through
cholinergic activity and spasmolytic effect was mediated through calcium channel
blocking activity (CCB), explain its traditional uses in diarrhea, intestinal cramps and
other gastrointestinal intestinal disorders.
Description
Keywords
Berberis lycium, spasmogenic, spasmolytic, cholinergic, Ca++ antagonist
Citation
Rahaman Muhammad Shafeeq ur, Chaudhary Mueen Ahmad, Ahmad Bashir, Alamgeer Alamgeer. Rationalization of Traditional Uses of Berberis lycium in Gastrointestinal Disorders. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research. 2013 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 868-879.