The Pharmacological Effects of Benachio-F(R) on Rat Gastrointestinal Functions

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a prevalent idiopathic upper gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by diverse symptomatology including epigastric pain or discomfort, postprandial fullness, and early satiety. Although its pathophysiological mechanisms have not yet been fully established, the available studies suggest that the etiology of FD is invariably multifactorial. Benachio-F(R) (BF) is a proprietary liquid formulation of 7 herbal extracts that has been proposed to address this multifactorial etiology using multi-drug phytotherapy. The pharmacological effects of BF, in comparison with those of two other herbal products (Whalmyungsu(R); WM and Iberogast(R); IB) were evaluated in rats. In a laparotomy-induced rat model of delayed GI transit, BF significantly accelerated the delayed gastric emptying caused by morphine, apomorphine, and cisplatin, and also significantly increased mean gastric transit, as compared to the control animals. BF markedly increased gastric accommodation in rats and produced higher gastric volume values than did the control treatment. The effects of BF were generally comparable or superior to those of WM and IB in these models. Furthermore, BF significantly stimulated biliary flow, as compared to the control treatment. These results indicated that BF might have great potential as an effective phytotherapeutic agent capable of reducing GI symptoms and increasing quality of life in FD patients.

Comparative Effects of Aloe vera Gel and Aqueous Leaf Extract of Viscum album on Bilirubin Excretion in Streptozotocin - Induced Diabetic Rats.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on bilirubin excretion and to compare the effects of separate administration of Aloe vera gel and aqueous leaf extract of Viscum album on serum bilirubin, bile secretory rate and biliary bilirubin concentration. Methodology: Thirty six male albino Wistar rats weighing 180 - 220 g were used for this study. After 14 days of habituation, the rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 6 rats each. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus was induced in the test groups by a single i.p dose (65 mg/kg) of streptozotocin. Group 1 served as control; group 2 - diabetic untreated group (DM); group 3 - diabetic group, treated with 0.4 ml/100g Aloe vera gel orally (DM+Aloe); group 4 - diabetic group, treated with 150 mg/kg Viscum album leaf extract orally (DM+VA); group 5 - control group, treated with 0.4 ml/100g Aloe vera gel orally (C+Aloe); group 6 - control group, treated with 150 mg/kg Viscum album leaf extract orally (C+VA). All animals had unrestricted access to food and water. The regimen lasted for 21 days, after which bile secretion was determined and same was collected together with serum for biliary and serum bilirubin estimation. Results: The results showed that serum and biliary total, conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentrations were significantly (p<0.001) higher in the DM group compared to control, DM+Aloe and DM+VA, with DM+Aloe group having significantly lower serum and biliary total and conjugated bilirubin (p<0.001), and serum unconjugated bilirubin (p<0.05) compared to DM+VA group. Serum conjugated bilirubin concentration in C+Aloe and C+VA group was significantly (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively) higher compared to control, while serum unconjugated bilirubin concentration was significantly (p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively) lower compared to control. C+VA group had a significantly (p<0.001) higher biliary total and conjugated bilirubin concentrations compared to C+Aloe group. Conclusion: On the basis of the results obtained, we therefore conclude that Aloe vera gel and aqueous leaf extract of Viscum album enhances bilirubin excretion in diabetic and normal animals and are both hepatoprotective.

Effect of Jianpi Xiaozhang Tablets on Biliation in Rats / 中国药师

Objective:To observe the effect of Jianpi Xiaozhang tablets on the bile secretion in rats. Methods: Totally 60 rats were divided into 6 groups randomly. Jianpi Xiaozhang tablet suspension(high, moderate, low dosages), Shudantong suspension, Qinggan Lidan capsule suspension and 0. 5% carboxymethyl cellulose with the same volume was respectively given with intragastric ga-vage once daily for continuous 5 days. The bile was collected to detect total bile acids ( TBA) , total cholesterol and total bilirubin. Re-sults:Jianpi Xiaozhang tablets could notably increase TBA and total bilirubin in the bile (P<0. 01), and decrease the cholesterol content significantly (P<0. 01). Conclusion:Jianpi Xiaozhang tablets can promote the bile secretion.

Alteración de la función secretora biliar en esteatosis hepática experimental / Altered bile secretory function in experimental non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is a clinical entity whose importance has been increasing, because of its potential progression to chronic liver disease. The alteration of bile secretory function may be a relevant factor of hepatic injury in NAFLD. Objectives: To assess basal bile secretory function and protein mass of three major hepatobiliary transporters in an experimental NAFLD model. Materials and Methods: The bile secretory function was determined by conventional techniques in Sprague-Dawley control rats fed with a choline-deficient diet (CDD) for 8 weeks. Protein mass of Ntcp, Bsep and Mrp2 was measured by western blot. Results: An impaired bile secretory function was observed in rats fed with DDC (reduction of bile flow and secretion of bile acids and organic anions). In addition, DDC fed rats showed higher levels of serum aminotransferases. Ntcp protein mass decreased in rats with DDC, while Bsep and Mrp2 did not show quantitative variations in this experimental model. Conclusions: In this experimental model of NAFLD an impaired bile secretory function was observed, determining a cholestatic pattern. The decrease in Ntcp protein mass with unaltered Bsep and Mrp2 protein mass, associated with a significant decrease in bile secretion suggests a functional impairment of these transporters in rats fed with DDC diet.

El hígado graso no alcohólico (HGNA) es una entidad clínica de importancia creciente por su potencial progresión a daño hepático crónico. La alteración de la función secretora biliar puede ser un factor relevante en el daño o lesión hepática asociada al HGNA. Objetivos: Evaluar la función secretora biliar basal y los niveles de expresión proteica de tres de los principales transportadores hepatobiliares en un modelo de HGNA experimental. Materiales y Métodos: La función secretora biliar fue determinada por técnicas convencionales en ratas Sprague-Dawley control y alimentadas con una dieta deficiente en colina (DDC) durante 8 semanas. Los niveles de expresión proteica de Ntcp, Bsep y Mrp2 fueron cuantificados por western blot. Resultados: Se observó un deterioro de la función secretora biliar en las ratas alimentadas con DDC (reducción del flujo biliar y de secreción de ácidos biliares y aniones orgánicos). Además, las ratas con DDC presentaron niveles más altos de transaminasas séricas. Los niveles de expresión proteica de Ntcp disminuyeron en las ratas con DDC, mientras que Bsep y Mrp2 no presentaron variaciones cuantitativas en este modelo experimental. Conclusiones: En este modelo de HGNA experimental se observó una función secretora biliar alterada, determinando un patrón colestásico. La disminución de los niveles de expresión proteica de Ntcp junto con la mantención de Bsep y Mrp2, asociados a una disminución significativa de la secreción biliar, sugiere un deterioro funcional de estos transportadores en ratas alimentadas con dieta DDC.

Effects of vincristine on the bile flow in male albino rats.

Bile secretion is an important function served by the liver. The microtubular system integrity plays a key role in hepatic transport and excretion of several of bile constituents including phospholipids & cholesterol as well as detoxified xenobiotics. Furthermore, an alteration in bile secretion has been proposed as an important cause of enteritis, also a complication of microtubular inhibitors like Vincristine (VCR) that may occur following treatment as an anti cancer drug. The study aims to study the effects of microtubule inhibitor VCR on bile flow and bile composition in rats. For this purpose, male albino rats were studied. One group of five rats was infused with single IV dose of VCR (@1 mg/kg and the other received equal volume of IV vehicular fluid. For bile samples, animals were cannulated, bile flow examined at different time intervals before and after drug administration. Biliary composition studied at second hour post i/v administration. Single dose VCR treatment showed significant rise in the baseline excretion of bile in animals studied during first 2 hrs, although, there was a mild reduction in the biliary flow rate after few hours. Biliary total cholesterol was decreased and cation concentrations increased significantly in the second hour post VCR. The results indicate that the exposure of rats to VCR induces early alterations in biliary secretion. This study may prove useful for the purpose of understanding enteritis in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Effects of Dandao Paishi Mixture for the Treatment of the Third-level or Above Intrahepatic Biliary Duct Stone: An Observation of 42 Cases / 广州中医药大学学报

[ Objective ] To investigate the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicines, which have the actions of dispersing stagnated liver-Qi and promoting bile secretion, clearing heat and removing damp, activating blood and removing blood-stasis, in the treatment of the third-level or above intrahepatic biliary duct stone. [Methods] After the routine surgical treatment including cholecystectomy, choledochotomy with T-tube drainage and choledochoscope lithotomy, 42 cases of third-level or above intrahepatic biliary duct stone received Dandao Paishi Mixture (DPM, mainly composed of Herba Lysimachiae, Radix Clematidis, Herba Artemisiae Scopariae, Radix Aucklandiae, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, Radix Curcumae, etc.) for oral use. The effects of DPM on the intrahepatic biliary duct stone were evaluated after treatment. [Results] Before the treatment of DPM, the stones in third-level or above intrahepatic biliary ducts cannot be taken out; after the treatment of DPM, T-tube reverse biliary contrast examination showed that stones were removed in 39 (92.9%) cases, stones still existed in the common bile duct in 3 cases and then were removed by lithotomy through T-tube sinus of the common bile duct with Olympus fiber choledochoscope 8 weeks later. [Conclusion] DPM has good lytholytic and lithagogue effects for the treatment of third-level or above intrahepatic biliary duct stone and for intrahepatic biliary duct incarcerated stone. It can also reduce the postoperative residue of stone and recurrence rate.

The Effect of Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide on the Flow of Bile in the Cat / 한국간담췌외과학회지

Pathophysiological conditions such as sepsis and hepatitis are frequently associated with cholestasis. Cholestasis in patients with sepsis has been attributed to the effects of endotoxin(lipopholysaccharides, LPS) and LPS-induced cytokines(TNF-a, IL-6, IL-1, etc.). LPS and cytokines reduced bile acid uptake in cultured hepatocyte. Perfusion of LPS decrease the bile flow in the isolated liver. Bile flow is increased by intravenous infusion of secretin, but it's effect remains unclear in sepsis. The aim, of this study is to elucidate the effect of LPS on the bile flow and bile composition and to test the effect of secretin on the bile flow. The animals used in this study were Korean wild cats. Under the general anesthesia, the incision was made on the midline. Common bile duct was cannulated with polyethylene tube after cholecystectomy. Bile was collected every five minutes and its volume was measured. E. coli LPS(1 mg/kg), secretin(0.1mg/kg) and H3-taurocholic acid(0.2uCi/kg) were infused via mesenteric vein. Bile was collected every 5 minutes, and the volume and its composition were analyzed. Radio-activity of the bile was quantified by Packard 1600 TR liquid scintillation analyzer. LPS of E.coli (1mg/kg) had a little effect on the blood pressure. LPS decreased the bile flow by 37% compared with the control group. Maximal impairment of the bile secretion appeared 15 minites after LPS infusion, and then secreted stablely thereafter. Secretin increased the bile flow in the normal control group. It, however, did not make any change in the bile flow after LPS infusion. LPS also reduced H3-taurocholate secretion(maximum 56%), and peak level was delayed about 10 minites compared with control group. In the composition of the bile, LPS decreased the secretion of bile acids significantly compared with the control group. Conclusively, LPS decreased the bile flow and the bile acid secretion. Secretin did not stimulate the bile flow in the LPS group. It also reduced the bile acids secretion compared with the control group. These findings will contribute to the understanding and treatment of the cholestasis and impairment of the liver function of sepsis. The findings, of reduced bile acids secretion in the LPS group may explain the pathogenesis of intrahepatic gallstone partly.

Studies on liver-protection and promoting bile secretion of gentiopicroside / 中草药

Object To study the liver-protection and bile promoting secretion of gentiopicroside administrated ig in rat. Methods Gentiopicroside was administrated ig to the mice with liver injury induced by CCl 4 and D-GlaN. ALT, AST levels in serum and GSH-Px activity in liver were examined. The bile flow rate and the concentration of the main components in the bile of rats after ig administration of gentiopicroside were estimated. Results Gentiopicroside administrated ig decreased the serum ALT and AST levels, increased the liver GSH-Px activity in the mice treated with CCl 4, promoted the secretion of bile and increased the concentration of bilirubin in the bile. Conclusion Gentiopicroside administrated ig exhibited significant liver-protection and promoting bile secretion.