Flavonoid-induced delay in the small intestinal transit: possible mechanism of action.

Three flavonoids viz: gossypin, epicatechin and hydroxyethyl rutosides were evaluated for their effect on small intestinal transit in mice. All the three flavonoids delayed the small intestinal transit in a dose-dependent manner. Naloxone, yohimbine and phentolamine antagonized the inhibitory effect of flavonoids, while it was not altered by prazosin, propranolol, atropine, physostigmine, hexamethonium, pheniramine or metiamide. It is suggested that opiate and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors mediate the flavonoid-induced delay of small intestinal transit.