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Planta Med 2009; 75(1): 24-31
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1088342
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Constituents from Fructus Aurantii Immaturus and Radix Paeoniae Alba on Gastrointestinal Movement

Yi-Shi Fang1 , Dong-Mei Shan1 , Jian-Wen Liu1 , Wen Xu1 , Chang-Long Li1 , Hong-Zhong Wu1 , Guang Ji2
  • 1School of Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, P. R. China
  • 2Laboratory of Liver Disease, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

Received: January 19, 2008 Revised: August 10, 2008

Accepted: September 23, 2008

Publication Date:
18 November 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Fructus Aurantii Immaturus and Radix Paeoniae Alba Powder (FPP) is a popular Chinese herbal prescription. The combination of Fructus Aurantii Immaturus and Radix Paeoniae Alba has been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders for hundreds of years. To our interest, this combination shows a bilateral effect on gastrointestinal peristalsis. Our present study was focused on the bilateral role of this combination on the gastrointestinal tract. The effective constituents and mechanisms were explored. Six monomer constituents from Radix Paeoniae Alba and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus were screened by intestinal transit assay. The bilateral roles of three effective constituents were authenticated by gastric emptying assay, and the combination of three constituents showed a bilateral effect. Then, the mediating receptors and the role of NO and NF-κB p65 were examined to determine the mechanism involved. The overall results suggest that the major effective constituents of this combination are synephrine, hesperidin and paeoniflorin. Synephrine inhibits the gastrointestinal movement, while hesperidin stimulates it. Paeoniflorin shows different effects on intestinal and gastric activity. The effect of synephrine relies on the α-adrenergic receptor, and the effect of hesperidin is mediated via the H1 histamine receptor. The regulation of hesperidin and synephrine on NF-κB p65 translocation and NO production through the α-receptor and the H1 receptor, respectively, is involved in the bilateral effect of the Fructus Aurantii Immaturus-Radix Paeoniae Alba combination.

Key words

Citrus aurantium L. - Rutaceae - Paeonia lactiflora Pall - Paeoniaceae - gastrointestinal movement

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Jian-Wen Liu

State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering and School of Pharmacy

East China University of Science and Technology

130 Meilong Road

Shanghai 200237

People’s Republic of China

Phone: +86-21-6425-2044

Fax: +86-21-6425-2044

Email: Liujian@ecust.edu.cn

Guang Ji

Laboratory of Liver Disease

Longhua Hospital

Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

725 Wanping South Road

Shanghai 200032

People’s Republic of China

Phone: +86-21-6428-6261

Fax: +86-21-6428-6261

Email: jiliver@vip.sina.com

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