IBOTAME

GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS

Gastrointestinal motility

Gastrointestinal motility results from coordinated contractions of the tunica muscularis, the muscular layers of the alimentary canal. Throughout most of the gastrointestinal tract, smooth muscles are organized into two layers of circularly or longitudinally oriented muscle bundles.

Regulation of all contractile and secretory activity is supported by an independent nervous system of the gut called the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is made up of two plexuses: the myenteric plexus and the submucous plexus.

The myenteric plexus control primarily over digestive tract motility. The submucous plexus regulates gastrointestinal blood flow and controls epithelial cell function.

Physiology of gastrointestinal motility

In digestive tract smooth muscle tissue contracts in sequence to produce a peristaltic wave,

 which propels a ball of food along the tract. Peristaltic movement comprises relaxation of  circular smooth muscles, then their contraction behind the chewed material to keep it from moving backward, then longitudinal contraction to push it forward.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by altered bowel habits in association with abdominal discomfort or pain in the absence of detectable structural and biochemical abnormalities. It is generally related to increased motility of the small and large intestines.

The exact cause of irritable bowel syndrome is unknown. It is believed to be due to a number of factors, including alteration in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract motility, abnormal nervous system signals, increased sensitivity to pain, and food intolerances.

Most patients can be classified, according to the predominant stool pattern they have, into IBS with diarrhoea, IBS with constipation, and those who have both diarrhoea and constipation, known as mixed-stool-pattern IBS.

 

Causes

  • Muscle contractions in the intestine- The walls of the intestines are lined with layers of muscle that contract as they move food through the digestive tract. Contractions that are stronger and last longer than normal can cause gas, bloating and diarrhoea. Weak intestinal contractions can slow food passage and lead to hard, dry stools.
  • Nervous system- Abnormalities in the nerves in your digestive system may cause you to experience greater than normal discomfort when your abdomen stretches from gas or stool. Poorly coordinated signals between the brain and the intestines can cause your body to overreact to changes that normally occur in the digestive process, resulting in pain, diarrhoea or constipation.
  • Inflammation in the intestines– Some people with IBS have an increased number of immune-system cells in their intestines. This immune-system response is associated with pain and diarrhoea.
  • Severe infection- IBS can develop after a severe bout of diarrhoea (gastroenteritis) caused by bacteria or a virus. IBS might also be associated with a surplus of bacteria in the intestines (bacterial overgrowth).
  • Changes in bacteria in the gut (micro flora) –Micro flora are the “good” bacteria that reside in the intestines and play a key role in health. Research indicates that micro flora in people with IBS might differ from micro flora in healthy people.
  • Diet and Lifestyle – IBS symptoms vary from person to person and tend to come and go with stress, improper diet, food intolerance and other lifestyle changes.


IBS according to Ayurveda

In Ayurvedic literature, the symptoms, called grahani, resemble most of the IBS symptoms, which can occur due to a number of factors: improper eating, drinking, exercising too soon after eating, forcing or restraining natural urges, taking chemical drugs etc. Grahani is a pathological condition of the function and integrity of the GI tract, especially of the small intestine tract, which is the site of enzymes (digestion), of absorption of nutrition from food and the release of undigested food to the large intestines.

Studies show that ”the circular and longitudinal muscles of the small bowels and sigmoid colon are highly susceptible to motor abnormalities. As a result, many factors could influence their contraction rate and lead to excess activity of their function, which is the basis of IBS. So, Ayurveda evaluation of IBS is made by search of various root causes of excessive GI motility through determination of the imbalances in the functioning mode.

 Etiology according to Ayurveda

According to Ayurvedic literature, the most important causes of IBS is vitiation of Agni, Vata,and lowojas, caused by stress, different diet and lifestyle imbalances like quality of food, overeating, irregular sleeping patterns and ignoring bodily urges etc.Also, food intolerance (dairy or grains), rather than food allergy could be present in 33-66%of IBS patients. Vitiation of Agni (Mandagni) is the main reason for IBS. This ultimately results in Ama formation and may lead to diarrhea or constipation.

Reproductive hormones in women, specifically progesterone, which is high in the postovulatory phase, can cause constipation. Also, before or during the onset of menstruation, women may report loose stool or diarrhoea.As mentioned before, stress, because of a variety ofreasons, can cause IBS.

 The diagnosis of IBS depends mostly on a complete history taking and physical examination of patient. Such type of patient is not completely manageable with modern drugs such as anti-diarrhoeal, anti-spasmodic, and antibiotic, but it provides temporarily relief up to some extent. For the search of better care and cure patients are inclined towards other system of medicine including Ayurveda.

Composition: Each 5 ml of syrup contains

Mass extract derived from: Daruharidra2gm, Kutaj1.400gm, Bilva800 mg, Shalmali 500 mg, Musta 300 mg, Chitrakmool 300 mg

Powders of: Vidang50 mg, Ashwagandha50 mg, Jeera50 mg

Daruharidra (Berberislyceum)

The roots are the most important part of Berberis species as they contain a number of alkaloids, the most prominent one is berberine. Daruharidra is having the properties of deepana (Stomachic), pachana (Digestant), grahi (absorbs excess water from intestines) and krimihara (Anthelminthic) properties.  It is useful in the treatment of various bacterial infections, especially bacterial dysentery.

 Bilva (Aeglemarmelos)

Bilva, due to its Kashaya, Tikta Rasa, KatuVipaka and Laghu Guna acts as Deepana and also Amapachaka. Kashaya Rasa and UshnaVirya help in reducing the colonic motility. Sangrahi property of Bilva is very useful to treat the increased frequency of defecation and the consistency of stool. Bael acts as nervine sedatives and relieves anxiety and tension.The use of Bilva is recommended for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) because of the following reasons:

  • Ability to reduce the frequency of IBS and intestinal spasm.
  • Beneficial in treating several infections of the Elementary canal.
  • Helpful in eliminating the old accumulated faecal matter from the bowels.
  • Ability to clean and tone the intestines by removing toxins.

A study has shown that extracts of Aeglemarmelos decreased colonic mucosal damage and inflammation, colonic free radicals. The plant improves colitis through its antibacterial activity, promotion of colonic anti-oxidants and reduction of free radicals and MPO-induced colon damage.

Shalmali (Bombaxceiba)

  1. ceiba is referred as astringent, antidiarrheal, antidysenteric, antimicrobial and tonic in nature. As this drug also helps in relieving ama (toxins) so it is used in digestive disorders like indigestion, abdominal pain, bloating.

Musta(Cyperusrotundus)

The tuber part of Cyperusrotundus is widely used as a folk medicine, especially for its carminative, antispasmodic, analgesic anti-diarrheal properties. In a study the extract from Cyperusrotundus rhizomes has shown significant antidiarrheal activity in experimental animals. It is through its antidiarrheal action that Cyperusrotundus might improve symptoms in IBS patients that suffer from diarrhoea. Moreover, because IBS is associated with bacteria, the antibacterial action of Cyperusrotundus on enteric bacteria might account for the observed improvements in abdominal distension and pain resulting from abnormal intestinal gas production as well as the observed improvement in other symptoms, such as incomplete evacuation, stool frequency and stool consistency.

  • Antispastic activity-

Extract of C. rotundus produced relaxation of rabbit ileum and spasmolytic effect against contractions induced by acetylcholine, barium chloride and 5-hydroxitriptamine, showing a direct relaxant action on the smooth muscle.

  • Inhibition of gastric motility activity-

The rhizome of C.rotundus Linn. was assessed for its cytoprotective effects against ethanol induced gastric damage. The findings in this study suggest that the protective action of C. rotundus Linn. is related to its inhibition of gastric motility.

  • Antidiarrhoeal Activity-

The methanol extract of C. rotundus rhizome, given orally shown significant antidiarrhoeal activity in castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice.

 Chitrakmoola (Plumbagozeylanica)

Its main component is plumbagin and it is used in treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. Chitrakmool has several other medicinal properties like antispasmodic, carminative, digestive and detoxification. It mainly acts on ama (toxins), helps in digesting, eliminating and reducing its effect on the body.

Kutaj (Holarrhenaantidysenterica)

It acts as Amapachana due to tikta rasa. It is used in diarrhea, haemorrhoids and also promotes digestion and dispels natural toxins.

It contains an alkaloid named conessine which has antidysenteric and anthelminthic properties, so it is mainly useful for dysentery, diarrhoea and helminthic disorders. It also diminishes symptoms like flatulence, cramps before defecation and mucus in the stool.

 Vidang (Embeliaribes)

According to Ayurveda, Vidanga is dry in nature, light in digestion and also helps to stimulate low digestive fire. This herb is used to treat severe stomach ache and abdominal distention. It is used to pacify vata and kaphadosha. It helps to treat intestinal worms and constipation.

Ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera)

Ashwagandha is a well-known drug in Ayurveda which has immunomodulatory action along with antioxidant and detoxifying properties. It also has vata kaphahar properties. It also has calming and anti-anxiety properties, helping to lower levels of stress hormones such as cortisol.

Jeera (Cuminumcyminum)

The fruit of Cumin has an essential oil composed of trepenoids and has been used as energy and immunity enhancing, digestive, diuretic, anti-parasitic, and anti-flatulence in traditionally. It also balances the GI motility.

A study has shown that Cumin relieves IBS- related symptoms significantly. The use of C. cyminumprovided relief in abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea.  It also decreases painful and incomplete defecation and Urgency.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common disorder that affects the larger intestine. Sign and symptoms include cramping, abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhoea or constipation, or both. IBS is a chronic condition that needs to manage long term. Some people can control their symptoms by managing diet, lifestyle and stress. More severe symptoms can be treated with medication.According to Ayurveda, the main causative factors of irritable bowel Syndrome is accumulation of Ama.

Ibotame is the herbal formulation designed to manage the irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) that mainly acts on ama, help digesting & eliminating it and reducing its effect on the body.

  • Bilva, Chitrakmool, Kutaj and Daru haridra helps to eliminate the accumulated ama from the body.
  • Shalmali and Jeera are effective in treating symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating and nausea.
  • Bilva and Musta is effective as an antidiarrheal agent and it also improve symptoms like in complete evacuation, stool frequency and normalizes its consistency.
  • Vidang helps to relieve the constipation by pacifying vata and kapha Dosha.
  • Ashwagandha helps to relieve IBS symptom that occur due to stress or anxiety.
  • The anthelminthic and antimicrobial property of herbs such as vidang and Daruharidra respectively, helps in maintaining the healthy gut.
  • Ibotame helps to restore the GI motility by eliminating ama and balancing the vitiated doshas from the body and relieves symptom associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
  • MALE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
  • SPERM ABNORMALITY
  • REVIFERT