Pharmacological basis for the gut stimulatory activity of Raphanus sativus leaves

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 95; no. 2; pp. 169 - 172
• Main Authors: Gilani, Anwarul Hassan, Ghayur, M. Nabeel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-12-2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; bioactive properties; Biological and medical sciences; colon; Colon - drug effects; Colon - physiology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Gastrointestinal Motility - drug effects; Gastrointestinal Motility - physiology; gastrointestinal transit; General pharmacology; Guinea Pigs; Histaminergic; ileum; Ileum - drug effects; Ileum - physiology; In Vitro Techniques; leaves; Male; Medical sciences; medicinal plants; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Pharmacognosy. Homeopathy. Health food; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; plant extracts; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Leaves; Prokinetic; Radish; Raphanus; Raphanus sativus; spasmogenic effect; Prokinetic; Histaminergic; Radish; Raphanus sativus; Digestive system; Pharmacognosy; Gut; Plant leaf; Prokinetic agent; Medicinal plant; Cruciferae; Dicotyledones; Angiospermae; Plant origin; Spermatophyta
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.06.038

The crude extract of
Raphanus sativus leaves (Rl.Cr) showed a dose-dependent (0.03–5.0
mg/ml) spasmogenicity in guinea-pig ileum and colon. The effect was insensitive to atropine pre-treatment but was completely abolished by pyrilamine indicating involvement of histaminergic (H
1) receptors. The contractile effect at high doses (3.0–5.0
mg/ml) was followed by relaxation. Rl.Cr also enhanced the transit of charcoal meal in mice at 30–100
mg/kg. The petroleum spirit, chloroform and aqueous fractions all showed histaminergic activity in ileum; aqueous fraction being more potent. The study shows the presence of a histaminergic component(s) along with a weak spasmolytic factor thus providing sound mechanistic basis for the traditional use of the plant in constipation.