Fundamental Research for the Pharmacological Activity of Oriental Drugs. II. : On the Antispasmodic Activity in the Several Kinds of the Crude Drug "Bezoar Orientale" and in Its Every Fractional Extract

Abstract

Comparative examinations were made on the antispasmodic action of a crude drug, bezoar, produced in Australia, Europe, India, North America, and South America. There was no difference in their quality. The fraction containing deoxycholic acid extracted from Indian bezoar showed the greatest anticholinergic activity but this activity was considerably weaker than that of atropine. Gas chromatographic analysis of this fraction showed the presence of cholic acid in an amount about 1/5 of the main component. Therefore, examinations were made on the complex effect of cholic acid and deoxycholic acid in various ratios on the anticholinergic activity and their synergistic effect, with deoxycholic acid as the main component, was evidenced. At the same time, the hydroxyl group attached to carbon-7 in cholic acid was found to be not necessarily required in antispasmodic action.