Evaluation of the pharmacological activity of extracts from Amomi Semen onthe gastrointestinal tracts

We have investigated the effects of methanolic and alcoholic extracts from Amomi Semen on gastric secretion, as well as gastrointestinal propulsion or the prokinetic activities. The methanolic extract from Amomi Semen dose de pendently decreased the volume output, acid output, and pepsin output in ra t's gastric juice with increasing pH value, while the alcoholic extract had no influence on basal gastric acid secretion. Furthermore, the alcoholic e xtract improved the L-dopa to induce a delay of gastrointestinal transit in mice, while the methanolic extract did not improve it. However, both extra cts had no influence on gastrointestinal transit in intact mice. These resu lts suggest that Amomi Semen has an inhibitory effect on gastric acid secre tion and that it has effects as the gastrointestinal prokinetics rather tha n propulsion. The present study pharmacologically elucidates a belief that Amomi Semen has been used in Chinese medicine for the treatment of gastroin testinal dyspepsia, which includes hyperchlorhydria, stomachache, abdominal distention, anorexia, gastric atony, etc. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Irelan d Ltd. All rights reserved.