This study examined the effects of an Atractylodes lancea extract, and isolated 尾-eudesmol, on gastric emptying and small intestinal motility in atropine-, dopamine-, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-treated mice.
The extract (500 or 1000 mg/kg) and 尾-eudesmol (50 or 100 mg/kg), as well as itopride hydrochloride (a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, 10 or 50 mg/kg), stimulated small intestinal motility in normal mice. They inhibited reductions in gastric emptying and gastrointestinal motility induced by dopamine (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection, ip). The extract (1000 mg/kg) and 尾-eudesmol (100 mg/kg) inhibited the atropine-induced decrease in small intestinal motility, but not gastric emptying. Furthermore, the extract (500 or 1000 mg/kg) and 尾-eudesmol (25, 50, or 100 mg/kg) inhibited reductions in gastric emptying and small intestinal motility caused by 5-HT (4 mg/kg, ip) or the 5-HT3 receptor agonist 1-(3-chlorophenyl) biguanide (0.5 mg/kg, ip), but not a 5-HT2C receptor agonist. These findings suggest that the extract of Atractylodes lancea and 尾-eudesmol may stimulate gastric emptying or small intestinal motility by inhibiting the dopamine D2 receptor and 5-HT3 receptor.