Role of gastrointestinal motility inhibition and antioxidant properties of myrtle berries (Myrtus communis L.) juice in diarrhea treatment

Introduction: The myrtle (Myrtus communis) belongs to the Myrtaceae family; it is one of the central plants as part of the list of medicinal plants in the Tunisian Pharmacopoeia. Myrtle berry was used for its astringent, tonic, and antiseptic properties, to treat diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and gastrointestinal injury. Methods: Adult male wistar rats were used to evaluate the normal gastro-intestinal transit and gastric emptying as well as castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling tests, and small intestine oxidative stress. The effect of myrtle berries juice (MBJ) (5 and 10 ml/kg, bw. p.o.) was after compared to the loperamide and clonidine effects. Results: MBJ significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the intestinal motility and gastric emptying. We also found that MBJ administration induced a significant dose-dependent protection against diarrhea and intestinal fluid accumulation. Castor oil-induced intestinal hypersecretion was accompanied by an oxidative stress status in the intestine, which was attenuated by MBJ administration. Conclusion: We suggest that MBJ had a potent protective effects against castor oil-induced diarrhea in part due, to its antioxidant and antisecretory properties. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.