Pharma Herbal b2

A Study on the Effects of
Mentha arvensis on the

Gastrointestinal Motility of
Mice
Pharma Herbal B-2
Introduction
Peppermint or Mint
common name for the plant scientifically classified under the
Lamiaceae family, specifically of the Nepetoideae subfamily and of
the genus Mentha.
2 Species commonly used:
Mentha arvensis
Mentha piperita
Known medical uses:

exuding virucidal effects on Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 and 2 in vitro
antispasmodic in elderly patients undergoing
esophagogastroduodenoscopy
treatments for migraine, upper respiratory tract diseases and related
cardiovascular diseases
Gastrointestinal uses:
studies have shown its medical prospect in the treatment of
gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Studies which test Menthas effect on gastric emptying also show
medical prospect.
Despite the existence of these studies, there is still no clear evidence
as to the effects of Peppermint on the gastrointestinal system.
Statement of the problem:

The purpose of the study is to elicit the gastrointestinal
effects of the methanolic extract of Mentha arvensis in the
intestines of mice.
Research question:
Does the methanolic extract of Mentha arvensis exert significant
decrease of gastrointestinal motility in mice when compared to
mice given negative control (NSS) and positive control
(Loperamide)?
Objectives:
To determine the effects of M. arvensis on the gastrointestinal
system of mice.
To evaluate if M. arvensis does decrease gastric motility in mice as do
the other species of Mentha.
Significance:
Expand knowledge about the exact effects of Mentha arvensis on the
gastrointestinal system.
provide further evidence on medicinal uses of peppermint for
treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.
The information gathered will be significantly important to those who
wish to do further studies on Mentha arvensis.
Scope and Limitations

study is limited to the use of M. arvensis leaf extracts as agent to
decrease gastric motility in the intestines of the mice
study limits itself to the gastrointestinal motility of the mice and
does not take into account its effects on other smooth muscles
Methodology
Experimental design
Experimental animal: 18 albino mice
Reagents and chemicals:
Methanol
Loperamide
Normal Saline Solution
India Ink
Plant material: dried Mentha arvensis
Methodology
Preparation of the extract
Methodology
Experiment setup
Results
Results
Results
Results
Results
Discussion
All of the statistical results have shown that there was no significant
difference between the comparison of the positive control and the
negative control.
The experimental p (0.3032) was greater than set alpha=0.05
Number of factors could be taken into consideration for this outcome

such as the positive control (Loperamide) having a large value for
variance as evidenced by the highly varying values per mouse.
Only the negative control (NSS) was able to elicit small variance
among the three set-ups.
Sudden change of route of administration

Dosage and content in a solution as exemplified in a study by Yadav,
Yadav & Kalia (2010) revealed that utilizing 2% as compared
to 3%and 4% , in a solution with banana leaves and whey
will yield an optimal effect that
not only relaxes the
intestines, but also yield an increase in energy
Yadav, Yadav & Kalia (2010)

Further, the study emphasized the importance of storage duration
and temperature as factors that can alter the effectiveness of M.
arvensis
Loperamide as an opioid agonist has been proven to exert anti

diarrheal effect, with few animals contradicting the statement.
However in a study by Fioramonti and Bueno (1987) using calves,
they found out that Loperamide hydrochloride given alone orally at a
dosage of 0.4 mg/kg did not modify the motility pattern of the
digestive tract.
M. piperita, M. aquatica, M. longifolia, serves to relax the

gastrointestinal tract due to its calcium channel blocking effect
(Mikhaili et al., 2013; Beesley et al., 1996); however, M. arvensis, the
species used in this study did not yield an evidence that would show
the same relaxing effect.
Conclusion
No sufficient evidence to reject null hypothesis
Oral gavage administration of M. arvensis, similar to Loperamide
and NSS, exert no significant effect on the motility of the
gastrointestinal tract of the mice used in this experiment.
Recommendations
replicate the study but with an alternative procedure such as
intraperitoneal administration
utilizing larger sample size
variations in the percentage concentration (dosage) of the M.
arvensis extract

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Pharma Herbal b2

Uploaded by

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A Study on the Effects of

Mentha arvensis on the

Known medical uses:

Statement of the problem:

Scope and Limitations

Number of factors could be taken into consideration for this outcome

Sudden change of route of administration

Yadav, Yadav & Kalia (2010)

Loperamide as an opioid agonist has been proven to exert anti

M. piperita, M. aquatica, M. longifolia, serves to relax the

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