Effects of Aqueous Extract of Curcuma Longa Rhizome On Motility of Isolated Rabbit Jejunum

Turmeric (curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family and the order Zingerberales. It is widely cultivated and used in the treatment of various ailments. In this study, the effect of aqueous extract of C. longa on isolated rabbit jejunum was investigated in vitro using Physiograph (Meditech, India). The rhizome of Curcumin was extracted using Soxhlet extraction method and distilled water was used as a solvent. The elemental analysis was determined using AAS and the result revealed the presence of Potassium, Magnesium, Iron and Nitrogen. The percentage concentrations of trace elements in the aqueous Curcumin rhizome were within the WHO standard limit. The aqueous extract at concentration tested (100 mg/ml) significantly decreased (p<0.05) jejunum smooth muscle contraction. Addition of Atropine (1mM) or Propranolol (1mM) further decreased the amplitude of jejunum smooth muscle contraction. Curcumin rhizome (100 mg/ml) blocked contraction induced by Ach (0.001μg/ml). The result of this work has shown that rhizome of C. longa produced jejunum smooth muscle relaxation, plant extract with antispasmodic activity may reduce gastrointestinal motility thereby delay gastric emptying and may be important in treatment of disease ailments like diarrhoea and colic.