Modulatory effect of aliphatic acid amides from Zanthoxylum piperitum on isolated gastrointestinal tract

beta-Sanshool and gamma-sanshool, unsaturated aliphatic acid amides isolated from the pericarpium of Zanthoxylum piperitum De Candolle (Rutaceae), relax the circular muscle of the gastric body, as well as contract the longitudinal muscle of the ileum and distal colon in an experimental system using the gastrointestinal tract isolated from a guinea pig.