Chamomile decoction modulates water, neutral NaCl and electrogenic ionic exchange in mice intestinal epithelium

Diarrhea is one of the major public health problems. In this study, the role of the decoction extract of Tunisian chamomile (Matricaria recutita) in the modulation of gastrointestinal motility, its antisecretory effects as well as its part in the regulation of the net ion fluxes transported across the epithelium (mainly Na+ and Cl-) were studied. Chamomile decoction extract (CDE) significantly inhibited the intestinal motility and the gastric emptying in a dose-dependent manner. The physiological study also showed that CDE had a direct effect on short-circuits current (Isc) intensity using bumetanide. These results suggested that this decrease in Isc using CDE could be interpreted as a reduction in electrogenic Cl- secretion together with a stimulation of neutral NaCl absorption. CDE can also modulate the gastric and intestinal motilities as well as the intestinal epithelium transport of water and electrolytes. Hence, this study confirmed that CDE is a potential beverage, due to the high amount of biologically active compounds that can prevent digestive diseases as well as maintain intestinal comfort.