Gastrointestinal Motility, Muscle Relaxation, Antipyretic and Acute Toxicity Screening of Amyrin Type Triterpenoid (Daturaolone) Isolated From Datura metel Linnaeus (Angel’s Trumpet) Fruits

Datura metel Linn is used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases including relaxation of smooth muscles, relief of fever, as well as gastrointestinal disorder. This study deals with the bio-guided isolation of an active, amyrin-type triterpenoid, namely 3-oxo-6-β-hydroxy-β-amyrin (daturaolone; 1), from the chloroform fraction of Datura metel L. (Angel’s trumpet) fruits and its gastrointestinal motility, antipyretic, and muscle relaxation effects in animal models. The chemical structure of daturaolone (1) was elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and crystallography techniques. The chloroform fraction and daturaolone (1) were assessed for the GIT motility test. Data exhibited in charcoal meal GI transit test show that chloroform fraction and daturaolone (1) significantly reduce GIT motility and increased intestinal transit time, comparable to the standard (atropine), a muscarinic receptor blocking agent. Muscle relaxant potency of the extract and daturaolone (1) was assessed in various animal paradigms. In the inclined plane screening test, it produced a significant (P < 0.05) muscle relaxation potential in a dose-dependent manner after 30, 60, and 90 min. Likewise, the muscle relaxation potential of the extract and daturaolone (1) was strongly complemented by the chimney and traction test, representing a dominant effect after 60 min of sample administration. The chloroform fraction showed good antipyretic activity, and while daturaolone (1) exhibited significant activity at a higher dose, the maximum effect (84.64%) was at 20 mg/kg i.p. In acute toxicity screening test, the chloroform extract (100, 250, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg) and daturaolone (1) (5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg) were found safe. In conclusion, the chloroform extract and daturaolone (1) exhibited strong gastrointestinal motility, muscle relaxation, and antipyretic activity in different animal models and intestinally, was found safe at higher tested doses.