ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of compound catechu anti-diarrhea ointment on the expression of aquaporin3 (AQP3) in the colonic tissues of diarrhea rat model, and the mechanism thereof. Methods Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:blank control group, model control group, positive control group and compound catechu anti-diarrhea ointment group. Rats were given 6 g blank matrix cream in model control group, 2 mL suspension of berberine in positive control group and compound catechu anti-diarrhea ointment in compound catechu anti-diarrhea ointment group, two times/d for 7 d. The rat model of diarrhea was established by using senna intragastric administration. The water content of feces was measured. The expression of AQP3 in colonic tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry assay. Results The water contents of feces were significantly higher in model control group (64.09±0.41)%than those of other three groups (F=53.879,P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the water content of feces between compound catechu anti-diar-rhea ointment group (48.83 ± 1.08)%and positive control group (46.87 ± 2.19)%. The AQP3-positive cells were mainly ex-pressed in the intestinal mucosa. The dyeing index was significantly lower in model control group (0.85±0.18) than that of other three groups (F=14.971,P＜0.05). There was no significant difference in the dyeing index between compound catechu anti-diarrhea ointment group (1.30±0.18) and positive control group (1.37±0.14). Conclusion Compound catechu anti-di-arrhea ointment can significantly reduce the water contents of feces, which may be related to the increased AQP 3 expression in colonic tissues.