The Pharmacological Effects of Benachio-F^®on Rat Gastrointestinal Functions

Abstract

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® (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®; WM and Iberogast®; 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.

Choosing an Animal Model for the Study of Functional Dyspepsia

“…The small intestine and caecum are gently pulled out of the abdominal cavity and the small intestine is gently manipulated with the fingers for ten minutes. After manipulation, the small intestine and caecum are replaced and the surgical wound is sutured [ 35 ].…”

Sub-acute and acute toxicity of Ferula asafoetida and Silybum marianum formulation and effect of the formulation on delaying gastric emptying

“…In the present study a 7-day pre-treatment with Asdamarin dose-dependently improved the gastric emptying rats. Gastric hypomotility involves dysfunction of serotonergic receptors 5- HT3/5- HT4 receptors [26]. It could be possible that the active constituents in Asdamarin modulate these receptors to exert its efficacy.…”

Effect of Flavonoid Rich Root Extract Of Glycyrrhizaglabra on Gastric Emptying and Gastrointestinal Transit in Albino Wistar Rats

“…Drugs that enhance GE are effective in the treatment of FD [2]. With the globally increasing popularity of medicinal plants for treating diseases, many herbal extracts/preparations are evaluated for the management of gastrointestinal disorders.…”

“…Although several agents have been evaluated for FD, drugs approved by FDA are not available for treatment of FD. Agents that improve motility (prokinetic agents) have been recommended as empirical treatment [2].…”

“…However they have their own disadvantages due to limited clinical effects and unwanted side effects like prolonged QT intervals etc. This has led to focus on phytotherapy that could improve gastric emptying thereby ameliorate FD symptoms [2,3].…”