Folkloric uses of <i>Jatropha gossypifolia</i> in emesis and gut motility disorders: Pharmacological validation

Abstract

&lt;p class="Abstract"&gt;&lt;em&gt;Jatropha gossypifolia&lt;/em&gt; is used in folkloric system to manage emesis and gastrointestinal motility disorders such as constipation and diarrhea. The present study was undertaken to provide pharmacological evidences for these folkloric uses by &lt;em&gt;in vivo&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; experimental setting. Ethanolic extract of &lt;em&gt;J. gossypifolia&lt;/em&gt; showed the significant antiemetic potential (p&amp;lt;0.05) against different emetogenic stimuli, when compared with chlorpromazine. The extract (0.01-1.0 mg/mL) on application to isolated rabbit jejunum preparation exerted spasmogenic effect, followed by the spasmolytic effect (3-10 mg/mL). In the presence of atropine, spasmogenic effect was blocked while spasmolytic effect was emerged, suggesting the involvement of muscarinic receptor activation.&lt;em&gt; J. gossypifolia&lt;/em&gt; caused relaxation of high K&lt;sup&gt;+ &lt;/sup&gt;(80 mM)-induced contraction and shifted the Ca&lt;sup&gt;2+ &lt;/sup&gt;concentration-response curve to the right in a manner similar to verapamil, thus conforming its Ca&lt;sup&gt;2+&lt;/sup&gt;-channel blocking activity. These findings provide pharmacological validation for the presence of antiemetic and gut modulator (spasmogenic and spasmolytic) activates, validating its folkloric uses.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;