www.iaset.us editor@iaset.us International Journal of General Medicine and Pharmacy (IJGMP) ISSN(P): 2319-3999; ISSN(E): 2319-4006 Vol. 3, Issue 3, May 2014, 47-52 © IASET EFFECTS OF FRESH JUICES OF ANANAS COMOSUS (PINEAPPLE) AND CARICA PAPAYA (PAW PAW) ON GASTRO INTESTINAL MOTILITY NWANKUDU O N, IJIOMA S N & NWOSU C Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Nigeria ABSTRACT The sweet tastes of Ananas comosus and Carica papaya fruits coupled with acclaimed health benefits may be the reason for their wide spread consumption. In this study the effects of the juices on the Amplitude and number of rhythmic contractions of an isolated Rabbit jejunum were studied and results obtained along with that of standard parasympathomimetic and sympathomimetic agents were compared to basal values. In the work, fasted Rabbits were euthanized by stunning and the jejunum was carefully isolated. 2-3cm of this tissue was cut and mounted in a 35cm 3 organ bath supplied with oxygen and maintained at 37 0 C. Graded doses of Acetylcholine, Noradrenaline, Ananas comosus juice and Carica papaya juice were administered at different times. The procedure was repeated five times to obtain mean Amplitudes and number of contractions per minute. Acetylcholine increased both Amplitude and number of contractions while Noradrenaline reduced same. Fresh juice of Ananascomosus increased Amplitude of contraction while fresh juice of Carica Papaya fruit decreased both Amplitude and number of contractions per minute. Ananas comosus may have achieved this effect by enhancing the activity of endogenous Acetylcholine, disrupting the activity of calcium channel and inhibiting endogenous myosin phosphatase, while Carica papaya juice may have achieved relaxation of the jejunum due to its effect on adrenergic receptors or by inhibition of the activity of endogenous Acetylcholine. The resultsobtained agree with popular use on A. comosus juice but fail to agree completely on C. papaya juice. KEYWORDS: Acetylcholine, Adrenaline, Ananas comosus, Carica papaya, Jejunum, Parasympathomimetic, Sympathomimetic INTRODUCTION The fact that the tropics into which majority of Africa lies is host to about 2 / 3 of the world’s flora and fauna means a lot of medicinal plants including herbs and fruits can be found here for curative or at least management of diseases (Sofowora, 1993). Global statistics have indeed revealed the increasing importance of medicinal plants, fruits and other plants products as alternative medicine in most countries. In fact the wide-spread use of these plants and their products is gradually replacing orthodox finished pharmaceutical products for reasons of cost, tradition, culture and effectiveness. Indeed it is estimated that about 80% of the world’s population is relying on medicinal plants and their products (Primela, 1985). Fruits including Ananas comosus and Carica papaya are therefore generally consumed because of their medicinal values (Upendra, et al., 2009). Ananas comosus (Pineapple) is a tropical plant with edible fruit consisting of coalesced berries. It is cultivated from a crown cutting of the fruit and flowers possibly in 20-24 months and fruiting in the following 6 months. It isaherbaceous perennial which grows up to 3.3 – 4.9ft high with short stem and tough leaves. Ikeyi, et al., (2013),