Evaluation of the gastrointestinal anti-motility effect of Anacardium occidentale stem bark extract: A mechanistic study of antidiarrheal activity

Antidiarrheal activity of Bridelia ferruginea bark methanolic extract involves modulation ATPases in mice and inhibition of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3) and prostaglandin E2 receptor 3 (EP3) in silico

OBJECTIVES

Diarrhea, an abnormal state in which the individual has about three or more daily bowel movements, is now considered one of the most challenging global public health problems. Using plant products, such as Bridelia ferruginea is an alternative treatment option. The objective of this study was to investigate the antidiarrheal activity of B. ferruginea bark methanolic extract (BfME) and the mechanisms involved.

METHODS

BfME antidiarrheal activity was evaluated in mice model of castor oil-induced diarrhea and enteropooling. To evaluate motility, gastrointestinal transit time was carried out using phenol red meal, while intestinal activities of selected ATPases were also evaluated. Furthermore, the active components in BfME were detected by GC-MS analysis, while molecular docking of the most abundant compounds with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M3) and prostaglandin E2 receptor 3 (EP3) were conducted.

RESULTS

BfME at 400 and 800 mg/kg showed antidiarrheal activity by delaying onset of diarrhea, reduced gastrointestinal transit and increased intestinal activities of Na+ K+-ATPase, Ca2+ Mg2+-ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase. Molecular docking revealed that γ-sitosterol, α-amyrin, and stigmasterol have outstanding binding affinity for M3 and EP3.

CONCLUSIONS

In view of these results, the observed antidiarrheal activity possibly occurs via the activation of ATPases activities and inhibition of M3 and EP3.

Micromorphology and Chemical Studies on Anacardium occidentale L. Stem Bark as an Herbal Medicine

The red and white types of Anacardium occidentale L. stem barks (AoB) are used in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, including Portugal, to make traditional herbal preparations for the treatment of diabetes. This work aims to obtain the macroscopic, micromorphological, chemical, and purity data necessary to use both types of AoBs as medicinal plants safely. Macroscopically, a brown inner (red AoB) or a dark-brown inner surface (white AoB) was observed. Light and scanning electron microscopy showed that sclereid cells with thin cell walls were significantly larger (p < 0.001) in red AoB than in white AoB, but calcium oxalate druses and starch grain areas were significantly larger (p < 0.001) in white AoB than in red AoB. The chromatographic profiles (thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography) of both types of AoBs were characterized by the presence of gallic and protocatechuic acids and other phenolic derivatives. The condensed tannins were the major secondary metabolites class (143.69 ± 4.67 mg and 73.79 ± 4.46 mg catechin equivalents/g AoB in red and white types, respectively). The loss on drying and the total ash were, respectively, 7.07 ± 0.16% and 2.31 ± 0.18% in red AoB and 6.58 ± 0.16% and 1.94 ± 0.14% in white AoB. The obtained data are helpful in ensuring the quality of AoB as raw material for the pharmaceutical market.