Digestive activity

One of the most important uses of many native aromatic plants in popular medicine is for digestive complaints [216]. Some studies suggest that EOs are responsible, at least in part, for the digestive activities of this group of plants, although it is also possible that other components (e.g. caffeic acid esters) also contribute to this activity [217, 218]. 

Aromatic plants are commonly administered as an infusion or tea, and thus are delivered directly to the site of action, i.e. the gastrointestinal system [216, 224]. Basically, aromatic plants and their EOs exert their digestive action by inhibiting gastric motility (antispasmodics), releasing of bile from the gall bladder (choler- 

The depressant effect of EOs on smooth muscle in the small intestine is consistent with the therapeutic uses of these aromatic plants as gastrointestinal anti-spasmodics and carminatives [224]. In vitro studies showed that EOs produced the inhibition of gastric motility, and are thus the basis of the treatment of some gastrointestinal disorders [225, 226]. 

The EOs reduced the contraction induced by acetylcholine, histamine [226-228, 210, 225, 232, 233], carbachol (muscarinic receptor activator) [237] and 5-hydroxytryptamine [229]. The EOs were found to relax intestinal smooth muscle by reducing the influx of Ca [227, 234], K+ [210, 224-226, 229, 230] and Ba [229, 237]. However, other reports have shown that lavender and geranium EOs were unlikely to act as cationic channel blockers [232]. The activities of the EOs resembled those of dicyclomine and atropine (muscarinic receptor antagonists) and dihydropyridine (calcium antagonist) by producing smooth-muscle relaxation [225, 236]. 

Chemical structure-activity relationships suggested that phenolic monoter-penes (thymol, methyleugenol) seemed to be the most active, followed by alcohols (terpineol) and other oxigenated monoterpenes (1,8-cineole) [225, 229, 230]. Within the monoterpenes, -pinene was more active than a-pinene [226], and a-pinene was more active than caryophyllene and myrcene [234]. 

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A number of enzymes may be used as digestive aids (Table 12.9). In some instances, a single enzymatic activity is utilized, whereas other preparations contain multiple enzyme activities. These enzyme preparations may be used to supplement normal digestive activity, or to confer upon an individual a new digestive capability. 

Pancreatin is a pancreatic extract usually obtained from the pancrease of slaughterhouse animals. It contains a mixture of enzymes, principally amylase, protease and lipase, and, thus, exhibits a broad digestive capability. It is administered orally mainly for the treatment of pancreatic insufficiency caused by cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis. As it is sensitive to stomach acid, it must be administered in high doses or, more usually, as enteric-coated granules or capsules that may be taken directly or sprinkled upon the food prior to its ingestion. Individual digestive activities, such as papain, pepsin or bromelains (proteases), or a-amylase are sometimes used in place of pancreatin. 

Diterpenesbitter-tasting terpeniod compounds responsible for digestive activity in bitters and antiviral activity in mints. 

In 1937, Balls et al. [4] purified one of the proteolytic fractions and called their crystalline enzyme papain. This was an unfortunate choice, since the name papain is also used for the crude papaya latex containing multiple enzymes. In 1939, Lineweaver and Balls published a refinement of the isolation method, and they also reported the presence in the papaya latex of another proteinase with a higher ratio of milk-clotting to hemoglobin-digesting activity than papain [5], In 1941 Jansen and Balls presented a description of a second proteolytic enzyme [6]... 

Vitamin B12 and a number of biologically inactive vitamin B12 analogues are synthesised by microorganisms in the rumen and, in spite of poor absorption of the vitamin from the intestine, the ruminant normally obtains an adequate amount of the vitamin from this source. However, if levels of cobalt in the diet are low, a deficiency of the vitamin can arise and cause reduced appetite, emaciation and anaemia (see p. 125). If cobalt levels are adequate, then except with very yoimg ruminant animals, a dietary source of the vitamin is not essential. Horses also are supplied with sufficient B12 from microbial fermentation when sufficient cobalt is supplied. Parasitised horses have responded to vitamin B12 supplementation, presmnably as a result of impaired digestive activity. 

This replacement in the mixture of carbohydrate by fat is accompanied by a decline in the non-protein respiratory quotient, and when the theoretical value for fat (0.7) is reached it can be assumed that energy is being obtained only from body reserves. In ruminants, an additional indication that the post-absorptive state has been reached is a decline in methane production (and therefore digestive activity) to a very low level. 

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Dried fruits (whole, crushed, and powdered) used as tea flavoring also in capsules, tablets, tincture, and so on, presumed for diuretic and digestive activities, and in combination with other botanicals for bladder and kidney preparations (foster and duke). 

This is brought about by.the combined action of three secretions pancreatic juice, bile, and intestinal juice, or succus entericus. Digestive activity is maximal about the second stage of the duodenum, and the process continues throughout the small intestine. 

Aronson, N.N. Jr. DeDuve, C. Digestive Activity of Lysosomes. II. The Digestion of Macro-molecular Carbohydrates by Extracts of Rat Liver Lysosomes. J. Biol Chem. 1968, 243, 4564-4573. 

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