Laxative Effect of Agarwood Leaves and Its Mechanism

Abstract

We investigated the laxative activity of an extract of agarwood leaves from Aquilaria sinensis. The laxative activity was measured in mice by counting the stool frequency and stool weight, and the drugs were orally administered. An acetone extract of agarwood leaves and senna (a representative laxative drug) both increased the stool frequency and weight, but a methanol extract did not. The laxative effect of the acetone extract was milder than that of the anthraquinoid laxative, senna, and the former did not induce diarrhea as a severe side effect. We identified the main constituent contributing to the laxative effect of the acetone extract as genkwanin 5-O--primeveroside (compound 4). Compound 4 strengthened the spontaneous motility and induced contraction in the ileum. This ileal contraction induced by compound 4 was inhibited by atropine, but not by azasetron, suggesting that the effect of compound 4 was mediated by acetylcholine receptors, and not by serotonin. The laxative mechanism for compound 4 may in part involve stimulation of intestinal motility via acetylcholine receptors.

Quantification of Polyphenols and Pharmacological Analysis of Water and Ethanol-Based Extracts of Cultivated Agarwood Leaves

“…, and genkwanin ( 6 )), was previously described ( 2 ). In this study, 6.6 g of hot water extract (lot: WEAL-0910) was subjected to reversed phase column chromatography (60 ϫ 4 cm) eluted with a methanol/water mixture, decreasing in polarity (5-40% MeOH); 15 fractions (Fr.…”

“…(2)(3)(4). Here the laxative effects of five extracts (WEAL30, WEAL50, WEAL70, WEAL95, and 60EEAL-C) in a loperamide-induced constipation mouse model were investigated after analyzing the concentration of 1-6.…”

Identification of Phenolic Compounds in Aquilaria crassna Leaves Via Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectroscopy

“…The major polyphenols in this material are glycosides of flavonoids, benzophenones, and xanthones. Researchers have recently clarified the laxative properties of agarwood leaves (AL) and identified mangiferin (3) and 5-O-β-primeveroside (5) as the active components (Hara et al, 2008;Kakino et al, 2010). The functional food applications of AL require an exact understanding of not only the chemical components, but also the AL properties such as their chemical natures, sizes, solubilities, and the degrees and positions of glycosylation, which influence their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in humans.…”

Prokinetic and laxative effects of Xiao'er Qixingcha, a household pediatric herbal formula

“…However, the existing treatments for constipation are still far from satisfactory due to various adverse effects (Liu, 2011, Wald, 2007. Currently, active researches have rekindled interest in natural drugs, such as Liriope platyphylla (Kim et al, 2013) and agarwood (Hara et al, 2008), and there has been an increased inclination towards herbal formulations like Ma Zi Ren Wan (Zhong et al, 2013).…”