The effects of aqueous extracts of Cuminum cyminum L. and Pimpinella anisum L. seeds on the improvement of irritable bowel syndrome compared with Loperamide in rats

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of the digestive system. In this study, the effects of aqueous extracts of Cuminum (C.) cyminum L. and Pimpinella (P.) anisum L. seeds in improving
IBS in rats were studied in comparison with Loperamide, selective drug frequently used for the treatment of IBS in Iran. For induction of IBS, rats were anesthetized 24 hours after fasting, after which 1 ml of acetic
acid was injected intrarectally at a point 8 cm from the proximal rectum, the intestine was stimulated and 1ml of phosphate buffer was injected into the same point to dilute acetic acid. Healing process was studied
in five groups: control, false control, positive control, aqueous C. cyminum extract-treated and aqueous P.  anisum extract-treated. C. cyminum extract at 300 mg/kg reduced the movements of the gastrointestinal tract
significantly, when compared to the control group. To analyze the mean differences between the groups, statistical analysis was performed by the Statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) using continuous
multivariate method. P values of less than 0.05 were regarded as statistically significant. According to the results, the most substantial improvement was observed in aqueous C. cyminum extract-treated group,
which allows us to propose its advantage compared to other treatments. Probably one of the reasons for the beneficial effect of these plants on IBS is the presence of antioxidant substances in these plants.