Determinación de la Actividad Laxante de los Mucilagos presentes en la Salvia Hispánica, Borrago Officinalis y Ullucus tuberosus frente a la actividad laxante del aceite de ricino in vivo

Abstract

The determination of the Laxative activity of the Muucílagos present in the Hispanic Salvia, Borrago Officinalis and Ullucus tuberosus against the laxative activity of the castor oil in vivo was carried out in the Laboratory of natural products and the Bioterio of the Faculty of Sciences of ESPOCH , With the aim of extracting the mucilages from the plant species and evaluating their laxative activity in mice (Mus musculus). Samples of B. officinalis and U. tuberosus were collected in the province of Chimborazo and that of S. hispánica in the province of Imbabura, Ecuador. For the extraction of the mucilage, maceration was carried out in seed water of S. hispánica, expression of stems of B. officinalis and maceration in water with previous decotation of U. tuberosus tubers. The obtained mucilages were dehydrated with heat to dryness. For in vivo analysis 6 groups were used with 3 mice each. As a positive control, 0.15 mL of castor oil and suspension of Plantago ovata seed cuticles were administered to two groups. For the test samples, 0.15 mL of mucilage solution of each species, or 80 mg / kg body weight, was orally determined. A white group was maintained without manipulation. During a time of 72 hours, the frequency of defecation, amount and appearance of faeces, as well as changes in the behavior of the animals were observed. The mucilages extracted from the tested species demonstrated significant laxative activity by the evacuation of abundant feces in a constant way in a short time, without obvious alterations of the behavior. The highest efficacy was determined in U. tuberosus and S. hispanica. Therefore, it is validated the traditional use of these species as laxative, and its potential application in therapeutics. It was found that the effect of mass laxatives is more prolonged and comfortable, compared to irritative laxatives such as castor oil, since based on the results obtained this oil has a fast but not prolonged effect, in addition to being Could detect an alteration of the normal behavior in the mice that received castor oil. To the people who suffer from constant or occasional constipation recommend the consumption of Ullucus tuberosus and Spanish salvia with abundant water to achieve the laxative effect that has been proven in this research work.