Choleretic Effect of Curcuma longa and Verapamil in Mice

Choleretic drugs are used in some conditions e.g., fat maldigestion. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker, which inhibits p-glycoprotein (P-gp) and may affect bile accumulation. Curcuma longa is traditionally used for treatment of maldigestion and as food additive. In this study, the effect of verapamil and Curcuma longa was compared on bile accumulation in gall bladder of mice. This simple animal model is approved and used for evaluation and screening pharmacological effect of agents on bile production or secretion. In this model, the mice arre off-feed for 24 h. The mice were divided in 3 groups. Saline was administrated in group 1, an aqueous suspension of Curcuma longa and verapamil was orally administrated in groups 2 and 3 respectively. One hour after drug administration, the mice were euthanized and gall bladder was immediately removed. The weight of bile was measured in each mouse and compared between groups. The mean of bile weight was 4.67±0.615, 14.33±0.792 and 14.17±1.641 mg in groups 1 to 3 respectively. Verapamil as well as Curcuma longa significantly increased the accumulation of bile in gall bladder in comparison to saline. Thus verapamil and Curcuma longa may similar action on bile secretion via p-glycoprotein.