# Impact of Wild Edible Fruits of Arbutus unedo and Crataegus monogyna on Gut Motility, Contraction, Secretion, and Glucose Regulation

## TL;DR

This study shows that Arbutus unedo and Crataegus monogyna fruits improve gut motility, muscle contraction, and lower blood sugar in rats, suggesting potential for treating GI and diabetes issues.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence on the combined effects of two wild fruits on gut function and glucose regulation in a preclinical model.

## Key findings

- Both extracts significantly increased gut transit in a dose-dependent manner compared to loperamide and yohimbine.
- The extracts increased the amplitude of jejunal contractions with distinct EC50 values.
- The fruits reduced glucose levels in hyperglycemic rats, indicating potential for diabetes management.

## Abstract

Arbutus and hawthorn fruits are commonly utilized in traditional medicine to address various gastrointestinal (GI) ailments. Our primary aim was to individually assess the effects of aqueous extracts from
Arbutus unedo
(AUAE) and
Crataegus monogyna
(CMAE) fruits on GI motility, spontaneous jejunal smooth muscle contractility, and hyperglycemia management.

Wistar rats were administered loperamide (LOP, 3 mg/kg, b.w.) along with AUAE or CMAE (at doses of 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg, b.w.) or yohimbine (YOH, 2 mg/kg, b.w.). GI transit was evaluated using the charcoal meal test. The impact of both extracts on jejunal secretion and contraction was assessed using the Ussing chamber technique and the isometric transducer. The bioactive constituents of AUAE and CMAE were analyzed via liquid chromatography‐high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC‐HRESIMS).

AUAE and CMAE comprise bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and flavonols, capable of eliciting various intended physiological effects. Both extracts demonstrated a significant and dose‐dependent increase in GI transit (77.33%–89.83% and 80.31%–85.54%, respectively) compared to the delayed peristalsis induced by LOP (42.77%) and the accelerated effect of YOH (90.09%). Both extracts induced an increase in the amplitude of spontaneous jejunal contraction with an EC50
of 90.47 and 22.98 μg/mL, respectively. Conversely, the two extracts did not impact the electrogenic transport of intestinal fluid when compared to the action produced by forskolin (FSK, 10 μM). Additionally, both extracts significantly reduced glucose levels in hyperglycemic rats compared to control values.

These findings hold promise for the development of novel preventive and pharmacological treatment strategies for GI disorders and diabetes management.

Impact of Wild Edible Fruits of
Arbutus unedo
and
Crataegus monogyna
on Gut Motility, Contraction, Secretion, and Glucose Regulation.