Phytother Res. 2001 Jun; 15(4): 302-6.

Effects of Dai-kenchu-to, a herbal medicine, on uterine and intestinal motility.

Murata P, Hayakawa T, Satoh K, Kase Y, Ishige A, Sasaki H.

Kampo and Pharmacognosy Laboratory, R and D Division, Tsumura Co., 3586 Yoshiwara, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-1192, Japan. murata_pin@mail.tsumura.co.jp

The effects of both Dai-kenchu-to and PGF(2alpha) on intestinal and uterine motility were studied in anaesthetized rabbits with force transducers implanted in the jejunum, ileum and uterus. A single intraduodenal administration of Dai-kenchu-to (300 mg/kg) enhanced the intestinal motility but not the uterine motility. However, intravenous administration of PGF(2alpha) (20 microg/kg) enhanced both intestinal and uterine motility. The effects of Dai-kenchu-to on the spontaneous contraction and contractile response of the isolated rat uterine strips to oxytocin, PGF(2alpha) or ACh were also studied. Oral administration of Dai-kenchu-to at 300 mg/kg for one week had no effect on either the spontaneous contraction or the contractile response of the uterus. These results indicate that Dai-kenchu-to may exert stimulatory effects on intestinal motility, as PGF(2alpha), but has no effect on the uterine motility, suggesting a selective effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Hence, Dai-kenchu-to may be safer than PGF(2alpha) in the treatment of postoperative adhesive ileus in women. However, more studies are needed to determine whether Dai-kenchu-to could be administered to pregnant women.Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.