HPLC Profile and Different Pathways Involved in Achillea odorata-Induced Gastric Emptying and Intestinal Transit Delay

Abstract

The Achillea genus is often used in traditional medicine for the treatment of digestive disorders. The current research sought to understand the mechanisms of action of the decocted extract of Achillea odorata L., with a focus on its possible effects on neurotransmitters that control gastrointestinal motility, as well as how it affected intestinal transit (IT) and gastric emptying (GE). Mice were given ADE treatments at 100, 200, or 400 mg.kg-1 doses, and an hour later they were given phenol red meal. To determine the effect of the extract on IT and GE, rats were given ADE (200 mg.kg-1) in a different set of experiments while also receiving different pharmacological agents, such as atropine (3.45 mmol.kg-1), L-Nitro-N-Arginine (L-NNA) (1.36 mmol.kg-1), or indomethacin (5.58 mmol.kg-1). At doses of 100, 200, or 400 mg.kg-1, ADE showed a significant decrease in GE and IT; the corresponding values for GE were 45.62±2.69%, 42.92±4.91%, and 28.80±3.02%, respectively. and, similarly, 57.87±3.97%, 48.72±2.01%, and 42.81±3.96% for IT. These effects on GE delay and antimotility activity were mediated through the cholinergic, nitric oxide, and cyclooxygenase pathways induced by ADE. A chemical analysis of ADE using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector (HPLC–DAD) revealed the presence of 12 phenolic acid compounds. The predominant phenolic compound identified in A. odorata was chlorogenic acid, with a concentration of 33.43±0.18 mg.g-1. These results suggest that components of A. odorata L. may have potential applications in controlling gastrointestinal motility problems, such as diarrhoea.