Pharmacological Characterisation of Plant Saponins and Nontoxic Peptides from Spider Venom that Modeulate Gastrintestinal Motility

Start year: 2002

Summary: Impaired gastrointestinal motility can be the result of many diseases or surgical procedures including diabetes, obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, postoperative ileus, chronic consipation and gastroesophageal reflux disease. So-called prokinetic drugs, that increase gastrointestinal motility, unfortunately do not provide impressive relief in advanced cases and are not without side-effects. This study aims to isolate and characterise nontoxic peptides from spider venom, that aid in prey digestion, and saponins isolated from herbal medicines, that increase gut motility. Using organ bath pharmacology, we seek to identify the mechanisms of action of these natural products to increase gastrointestinal muscle contractility. This study will provide stucture-activity information for the development of lead compounds or novel prokinetic drugs to treat clinical disorders involving poor gastrointestinal motility.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.