The Effects of Mistletoe (Viscum album L. subsp. album) Extracts on Isolated Intestinal Contractions

Authors : Alper KARAKAŞ, Erdinç SERİN, Bülent GÜNDÜZ, Arzu UÇAR TÜRKER

Pages : 237-242

View : 19 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2008-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Throughout history folk medicine has served as an alternative or complimentary method of treating disorders like intestinal colic. Mistletoe is a common name for many species of semi-parasitic plants that grow on trees throughout the world, and has been used widely to treat intestinal colic. We conducted a study to evaluate the effect of freeze-dried insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(group 1); and heat-treated insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(group 2); extracts of Viscum album subsp. album leaves on contractions induced by acetylcholine in isolated hamster intestinal segments insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(duodenum, jejunum, and ileum);. Freeze-dried extracts decreased intestinal contractions in all the intestinal segments insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.05);. The strongest relaxant effect was observed in the jejunum and the weakest was seen in the duodenum. Higher doses of heat-treated extracts were required to affect segmental contractions than that of freeze-dried extracts insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.05);; heat-treated extracts had the greatest effect on reducing contractions in the jejunum and the least effect in the duodenum. Mistletoe extracts affected the level of contractions in a dose- and extraction preparation-dependent manner. The results of this study show that mistletoe extracts could be effective against intestinal motility problems and that they have potential use as a therapeutic remedy for intestinal colic.
Keywords : Medicinal plant, colic, mistletoe, Viscum album subsp album, organ bath