Medicinal plants and phytodrugs used in gastrointestinal tract disorders

Abstract

Introduction.The digestive system is a morphological and functional ensemble of organs which is responsible not only for the digestion and absorbtion of the ingested food, but also for the evacuation of unassimilable residues. Diseases of the digestive tract can occur to any person, regardless of gender, age or social class and represent a problem both in the medical and socioeconomic fields. In the R. Moldova, 8,8% of deaths are caused by the diseases of the digestive tract. The districts in the central area of the R. Moldova are the most affected by pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, correlated with the quality of water and soil (salts, pesticide content). Today, there are many natural remedies that we can use before resorting medicamentous treatment. Aim of the study. Analysis of vegetable products and phytodrugs used in the treatment of the diseases of the digestive system, with: anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, anthelmintic, tonicbitter, laxative, carminative, regenerative, hepatoprotective activity. Materials and methods. Evaluation of profile literature, the medicinal plants, active principles and phytodrugs according with the State Nomenclature of Medicines of Moldova. Results. Among many medicinal plants used in digestive system diseases, we can mention: Chamomilla recutita L., Linum usitatissimum L. (antiinflamatory action through the content of volatile oils and polyholosides); Vaccinium myrtillus L., Quercus robur L., Fragaria vesca L., (antidiarrhoeal action is ensured by tanning substances); Tanacetum vulgare L., Dryopteris filixmas L. (anthelmintic action – by the content of volatile oils and filicine); Gentiana lutea L., Artemisia absinthium L., Taraxacum officinalis L. (bitter tonic action); Frangula alnus Mill., Senna angustifolia Vahl. (laxative action due to anthracene derivatives); Anethum graveolens L., Coriandrum sativum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (carminative action – by coumarins and volatile oils); Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (the saponosides with antulcerous effect), etc. Out of the 5446 drugs included in State Nomenclature of Medicines of Moldova, the share of phytodrugs (vegetable products, homeopathic preparations, medicinal species) represent 15,4 % of the total number of medicines. Conclusions. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract represent 8.8% of the causes of deaths in the Republic of Moldova, occupying the third place after circulatory diseases and tumors. In the treatment of gastrointestinal tract pathologies, are used: bitter-tonic, laxative, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, anthelmintic, carminative, antulcerous, antihemorrhoidal and hepatoprotective phytodrugs, that represent 15,4 % corresponing to the State Nomenclature of Medicines of Moldova.