EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Aristolochia argentina ON UPPER GASTROlNTESTINAL TRACT

PAREDES J.; PEREIRA SV.; WENDEL GH.; SOSA A.; FUSCO M.; PELZER LE.

Mendoza Argentina

Congreso; XXVI Annual Scientific Meeting of Cuyo Biology Society; 2008

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

llO. EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Aristolochia argentina ON UPPER GASTROlNTESTINAL TRACT Paredes J., Pereira SV., Wendel GHI. Sosa A´, Fusco M., Pelzer LE. Farmacología. Farmacognosia. Fac Qca, Bioqca y Fcia. Univ. Nac San Luis, 5700 San Luis. E-mail: gwendel@unsl.edu.ar Alrislolocllia argentina (family Aristolochiaeeae) is populary know as "charrúa". The roots ofthis pIant are used in folk medicine. Thcir infusions and tinetures are reputed to haye diuretie, antidiarrheie. astringent and antihemorroidal properties. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of A. argentiina On small intestinal transit in mice and intestinal fluid accumulation in rats. Small intestinal transit was tested using the charcoal method. In control mice, 20 min alfter its intragastric administration, the charcoal meal travesed 54,44  ± 1.91 % of the tOlal length of the small intestinal transit. Ethanol extract (250 mgikg) signiticantly inhibited small intestinal transit: 41.50 ± 1.51 % (p<0,0001), Barium chloride induced increase peristalsis, ethanol extract did not in­hibil this actiyity. The technique proposed by Robert et al. (enteropooling) evaluates the net accumulation of tluid in the lu­men of the small intestine. The stimulation of fluid accumulation by castor oil (27.47 ± 1.65 mg/cm) was inhibitcd by ethanol ex­tract (250 and 500 mg/kg: 13.2 ± 0045; 20.15 ± 2.55 mg/cm; p<0,001. p<0.05. The present results suggest therefore that etha­nol extract produces an inhibitory action on gastrointestinal functions: motility and secretion. and favors its antidiarrheal activity. Experiments are in progress to identify the active chemical constituent(s) and to clarify the antidiarrheal activity of A. Argentina.