Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Gastrointestinal Motility Monitor (GIMM)
Published on: December 1, 2010
[Effects of stigma maydis polysaccharide on gastrointestinal movement]
Juan Du1, Qi-tai Xu, Xing-hua Gao
1College of Pharmacy, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, China.
Objective:
To study the effect of stigma maydis polysaccharide (SMPS) on gastrointestinal movement.
Method:
Taking charcoal as the indicator and taking ratio of charcoal movement, beginning time of black excretion and stool amount as the index to observe the effect of SMPS on intestinal movement in mice. Taking emthylorange as the indicator and taking the ratio of residual rate of methylorange as the index to observe the effect of SMPS on gastric emptying in mice. Taking methylene blue as the indicator and taking the time of gastric emptying and movement speed of intestinal content as the index to observe the effect of SMPS on gastrointestinal movement in rats. Observing the changes of cholecystokinin (CCK) level in plasm in rats.
Result:
Compared with control, the ratio of charcoal movement increased in mice (P <0.01). The beginning time of black excretion shortened and the stool amount increased in mice (P <0.01). The ratio of residual rate of methylorange increased in mice (P <0. 01). The time of gastric emptying prolonged in rats (P <0.01). The movement speed of intestinal content in rats accelerated (P <0.01). CCK level in plasm increased in rats (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Effects of stigma maydis polysaccharide on gastrointestinal movement are probably related to the increasing of CCK level in plasm.
Insights
Stigma maydis polysaccharide (SMPS) enhances gastrointestinal movement in animal models, likely by increasing cholecystokinin (CCK) levels. This suggests SMPS may promote digestive motility.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Natural Products
Context:
- Gastrointestinal motility disorders affect millions globally.
- Polysaccharides from natural sources are increasingly explored for therapeutic potential.
- Stigma maydis, a traditional herbal medicine component, warrants investigation for its physiological effects.
Purpose:
- To investigate the impact of stigma maydis polysaccharide (SMPS) on gastrointestinal motility.
- To elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying SMPS's effects on digestion.
Summary:
- SMPS significantly increased intestinal movement and stool output in mice.
- In mice, SMPS affected gastric emptying.
- In rats, SMPS prolonged gastric emptying time but accelerated intestinal content movement, correlating with increased plasma cholecystokinin (CCK).
Impact:
- Findings suggest SMPS as a potential agent for managing gastrointestinal motility.
- The study highlights the role of CCK in mediating the gastrointestinal effects of SMPS.
- Further research could explore SMPS for conditions like constipation or delayed gastric emptying.
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