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Effect of Boswellia serrata on intestinal motility in rodents: inhibition of diarrhoea without constipation

  1. Francesca Borrelli1,
  2. Francesco Capasso1,*,
  3. Raffaele Capasso1,
  4. Valeria Ascione1,
  5. Gabriella Aviello1,
  6. Rocco Longo2,
  7. Angelo A Izzo1,*

Article first published online: 29 JAN 2009

DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706740

Issue

British Journal of Pharmacology

British Journal of Pharmacology

Volume 148, Issue 4, pages 553–560, June 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Borrelli, F., Capasso, F., Capasso, R., Ascione, V., Aviello, G., Longo, R. and Izzo, A. A. (2006), Effect of Boswellia serrata on intestinal motility in rodents: inhibition of diarrhoea without constipation. British Journal of Pharmacology, 148: 553–560. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706740

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy

  2. 2

    Carlo Sessa SpA Pharmaceutical Laboratory, viale Gramsci 212, 20099 Sesto S.G. Milan, Italy

*Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy. E-mails: franborr@unina.it
Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Naples, Italy. aaizzo@unina.it

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 29 JAN 2009
  2. Article first published online: 29 JAN 2009
  3. (Received October 20, 2005, Revised February 22, 2006, Accepted February 24, 2006)

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Keywords:

  • Boswellia serrata;
  • boswellic acids;
  • intestinal motility;
  • spasmolytic activity;
  • diarrhoea;
  • calcium channels
  • 1
    Clinical studies suggest that the Ayurvedic plant Boswellia serrata may be effective in reducing diarrhoea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of a Boswellia serrata gum resin extract (BSE) on intestinal motility and diarrhoea in rodents.
  • 2
    BSE depressed electrically-, acetylcholine-, and barium chloride-induced contractions in the isolated guinea-pig ileum, being more potent in inhibiting the contractions induced by acetylcholine and barium chloride.
  • 3
    The inhibitory effect of BSE on acetylcholine-induced contractions was reduced by the L-type Ca2+ channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine, but not by the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid, by the phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitor rolipram or by the lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton.
  • 4
    3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, one of the main active ingredients of B. serrata, inhibited acetylcholine-induced contractions.
  • 5
    BSE inhibited upper gastrointestinal transit in croton oil-treated mice as well as castor oil-induced diarrhoea. However, BSE did not affect intestinal motility in control mice, both in the small and in the large intestine.
  • 6
    It is concluded that BSE directly inhibits intestinal motility with a mechanism involving L-type Ca2+ channels. BSE prevents diarrhoea and normalizes intestinal motility in pathophysiological states without slowing the rate of transit in control animals. These results could explain, at least in part, the clinical efficacy of this Ayurvedic remedy in reducing diarrhoea in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 148, 553–560. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706740

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (209K)