Radiological determination of gastric motility in experimental model treated with Rosmarinus officinalis Linn. (Lamiaceae) extracts

Abstract

Among the biological properties of Rosmarinus officinalis Linn. (rosemary), the infusions and ethanolic extracts are popularly used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. However, the effects of these extracts on the gastric motility are unknown. Here, we evaluated influence of the rosemary extracts on gastric motility and its chemical composition. Forty-eight female Wistar rats with food restriction for 12 h were made into eight experimental groups (n=6, each) and given oral treatments (1 mL) of ethanolic and aqueous extracts at the doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, and distilled water (control) and metoclopramide (2 mg/kg, intramuscular). After one hour, five metal spheres (1 mm) were administered with barium contrast. A series of radiographs were taken every hour for six hours. Significant differences were shown in the gastric emptying of the metal spheres within three hours among the extracts and the control groups. By high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), both extracts presented kaempferol, carnosic acid and rosmarinic acid as major compounds, which would influence in the higher time for emptying. This study showed that the rosemary extracts increased the gastric emptying time in healthy rats, suppressing the gastric motility, and may be useful in treating digestive disorders, like diarrhea.