Effects of Dai-kenchu-to, a herbal medicine, on uterine and intestinal motility

The effects of both Dai-kenchu-to and PGF(2 alpha) on intestinal and uterin e motility were studied in anaesthetized rabbits with force transducers imp lanted in the jejunum, ileum and uterus, A single intraduodenal administrat ion of Dai-kenchu-to (300 mg/kg) enhanced the intestinal motility but not t he uterine motility, However, intravenous administration of PGF(2 alpha) (2 0 mug/kg) enhanced both intestinal and uterine motility, The effects of Dai -kenchu-to on the spontaneous contraction and contractile response of the i solated rat uterine strips to oxytocin, PGF(2 alpha) or ACh were also studi ed. Oral administration of Dai-kenchu-to at 300 mg/kg for one week had no e ffect on either the spontaneous contraction or the contractile response of the uterus, These results indicate that Dai-kenchu-to may exert stimulatory effects on intestinal motility, as PGF(2 alpha) but has no effect on the u terine motility, suggesting a selective effect on the gastrointestinal trac t, Hence, Dai-kenchu-to may be safer than PGF(2 alpha) in the treatment of postoperative adhesive ileus in women. However, more studies are needed to determine whether Dai-kenchu-to could be administered to pregnant women. Co pyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.