EFFECT OF PINELLIA-TERNATA TUBER ON THE EFFERENT ACTIVITY OF THE GASTRIC VAGUS NERVE IN THE RAT

Effect of intraduodenal infusion with the hot aqueous extract of Pinel lia ternata tuber on the efferent discharges in the gastric branch of the vagus nerve was observed in the anesthetized rat. The infusion of the extract in doses of 2-15O mg per animal (c.a. 300 g, b.wt.) result ed in a dose-related increase in efferent activity of the vagal gastri c nerve. The enhancement of the nerve activity following administratio n of 150 mg of this substance lasted longer than 90 min. It was observ ed that the suppressive effect on vagal gastric activity due to apomor phine and copper sulfate was antagonized by prior administration of th e extract. From these observations it is suggested that Pinellia tuber acts as a facilitatory agent on gastric function.