[Abuse of diphenoxylate and related factors of forced drug abstainer in Gansu province]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of diphenoxylate abuse and related factors of forced drug abstainer in Gansu province. Methods: By using a self-designed questionnaire, an epidemiologic investigation was carried out among 2 108 forced drug abstainer selected from the compulsory isolation detoxification center of Gansu province. A case-control study was conducted to analyze the factors related with diphenoxylate abuse. Results: The diphenoxylate abuse rate among forced drug abstainer in Gansu was 19.8% (406/2 046), ranking first in medical drug abuse. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that factors as relieving withdrawal symptoms (OR=2.08, 95%CI: 1.01- 4.32), ways to obtain diphenoxylate (other ways: OR=1.00; regular clinic: OR=27.67, 95%CI: 2.64-289.82; friend: OR=0.01, 95%CI: 0.01-0.03), degree of euphoria (high: OR=1.00; medium: OR =3.36, 95%CI: 1.18-9.55; low: OR=26.16, 95%CI: 10.30-66.42), years of drug abuse (<5 years: OR=1.00; 10-15 years: OR=2.48, 95%CI: 1.02-6.04), abuse at home or in friend's house (OR=3.04, 95%CI: 1.08-8.68), abuse in car (OR=0.05, 95%CI: 0.00-0.68) and detoxification for the first time (OR=0.61, 95%CI: 0.43-0.86) were the possible influencing factors for diphenoxylate abuse. Conclusions: The prevalence of diphenoxylate abuse in forced drug abstainer in Gansu was relatively high. Reasons of abusing, the way to obtain diphenoxylate, whether using drug together with friends, degree of euphoria, years of abuse, abuse place and times for detoxification were related factors influencing the abuse of diphenoxylate.

Effect of Qilang Decoction on substance P and vasoactive intestine polypeptide in the mucous enteric nervous system

AIM: To investigate the effect of Qilang Decoction on substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestine polypeptide (VIP) in mucous and muscular layers of colon and its possible mechanism.

METHODS: Fifty Kunming mice were divided into normal group (A), model group of constipated mice (B) and three different treatment groups (C, D, E). Positively stained SP and VIP were compared among the 5 groups using immunohistomisry and pathology analysis system.

RESULTS: Strongly positive SP [(9.35 ± 2.44) × 10⁵, (7.69 ± 4.16) × 10⁵] and VIP [(9.48 ± 4.54) × 10⁵, (6.65 ± 3.30) × 10⁵] were found in the mucous membrane and muscular layers of the normal colon group compared with the negative group (P < 0.05). The SP and VIP level was higher in the mucous membrane layer than in the muscular layer. The SP level [(5.25 ± 0.72) × 10⁵, (5.61 ± 1.59) × 10⁵, (5.61 ± 2.03) × 10⁵ and (2.28 ± 0.82) × 10⁵, (3.23 ± 0.80) × 10⁵, (3.45 ± 0.88) × 10⁵] and the VIP level [(4.19 ± 1.13) × 10⁵, (7.27 ± 2.27) × 10⁵, (3.40 ± 1.51) × 10⁵ and (1.54 ± 0.39) × 10⁵, (1.40 ± 1.30) × 10⁵, (1.47 ± 0.57) × 10⁵] decreased considerably in the mucous membrane and muscular layers of the Qilang Decoction groups compared with the normal group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Qilang Decoction may regulate the distribution of SP and VIP in the colon by directly stimulating the peristalsis of the colon, decreasing the response of SP to the nerve cluster of the colon mucous membrane, and releasing SP, thus leading to increased excretion of intestinal juice, which lubricates the intestines for easy bowel movements.

In vivo evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activity of Rhus semialata fruit extract in rats

Rhus semialata Murr. (Anacardiaceae) is a deciduous tree of north eastern India. The fruit of this plant is traditionally used to control diarrhoea and dysentery. The Present study was undertaken to evaluate anti-diarrhoeal potency of methanol extract of fruits of R. semialata using Wister albino rats to substantiate folklore claims. The extract at graded doses (100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight) was investigated for anti-diarrhoeal activity in term of reduction in the rate of defecation in castor oil induced diarrhoea. To understand the mechanism of its antidiarrhoeal activity, the gastrointestinal transit and PGE(2)-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) were further evaluated. At graded doses, the extract showed a remarkable anti-diarrhoeal activity evidenced by the reduction in the rate of defecation up to 80.70% of control diarrhoeal animals at the dose of 600 mg/kg body weight. Results are comparable to that of standard drug diphenoxylate (50 mg/kg body weight). Extract produced profound decrease in intestinal transit (8.02-47.05%) at selected doses comparable to that of single intraperitoneal injection of standard drug atropine sulphate at doses of 0.1 mg/kg body weight. It significantly inhibited PGE(2)-induced enteropooling (21.98-56.03%). The results indicated that the methanol extract of the fruits of R. semialata possesses significant anti-diarrhoeal effect and substantiated the use of this herbal remedy as a non-specific treatment for diarrhoea in folk medicine.