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

The effects of both Dai-kenchu-to and PGF(2 alpha) 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(2 alpha) (20 mug/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(2 alpha) 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(2 alpha) 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(2 alpha) 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 (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.