Evaluation of antipropulsive activity of Decachaeta incompta (DC) king and robinson and its sesquiterpene lactones on induced hyperperistalsis in rats

Background: Decachaeta incompta (DC) King and Robinson (Asteraceae ) is a plant used in Mexico especially in rural communities in the State of Oaxaca by traditional medicine practitioners to treat diarrhea. However, scientific evidence does not exist in any literature on antipropulsive activity of D. incompta and its sesquiterpene lactones that explain in part the traditional use of this plant. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate a possible antipropulsive activity of the dichloromethane crude extract and two sesquiterpene lactones from Decachaeta incompta. Materials and Methods: Charcoal-gum acacia, lactose and castor oil-induced hyperperistalsis assays were used to assess the antipropulsive activity of the crude extract from D. incompta and its sesquiterpene lactones, incomptines A and B. Results: The antipropulsive activity of D. incompta was investigated by studying the effect of the aerial parts dichloromethane extract and incomptines in three models of induced hyperperistalsis in rats. Dichloromethane extract showed significant inhibition of charcoal-gum acacia and castor oil-induced hyperperistalsis with values of ID5031.70 and 27.31 mg/kg, respectively. Incomptine A, showed significant inhibition of charcoal-gum acacia, lactose and castor oil induced hyperperistalsis with values of ID5021.10, 14.20 and 16.20 mmol/kg, respectively. In contrast, incomptine B showed inhibition of charcoal-gum acacia and lactose-induced hyperperistalsis with values of ID5011.90 and 9.60 mmol/kg, respectively. Conclusion: The results indicate that dichloromethane extract of D. incompta and its sesquiterpene lactones have antipropulsive activity. Furthermore, these results give additional support to the reports of the traditional use of D. incompta for the treatment of diarrhea.