The Traditional Medicine Bojungikki‑Tang Increases Intestinal Motility

Objectives: We investigated the GI motility functions in vivo and the pacemaker potential in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in vitro by BJIT. Materials and Methods: Intestinal transit rate (ITR) and serum levels of GI hormones were investigated in mice. ICC‑induced pacemaker potential was evaluated using the electrophysiological method. Results: ITR values and the level of motilin significantly increased after treatment with BJIT. The BJIT‑induced ITR increase was related to the increase in the expression of a c‑kit. BJIT induced the pacemaker potential depolarizations and the frequency decrease of ICCs. Pretreatment with methoctramine resulted in the inhibition of BJIT‑induced depolarization of the pacemaker potential. However, BJIT‑induced effects were retained in the presence of 1,1‑dimethyl‑4‑diphenylacetoxypiperidinium iodide. Furthermore, thapsigargin pretreatment resulted in the inhibition of BJIT‑induced effects. Moreover, BJIT blocked both transient receptor potential melastatin 7 and calcium‑activated chloride (transmembrane protein 16A) channels. Conclusion: These results indicate that BJIT can be considered a good medicine for controlling GI motility.