Abstract
Herbal medicine has been used since ancient times to treat chronic constipation. The present study has investigated the gut stimulatory activity of Andrographis peniculata, an herbal medicine common to many parts of the globe. Results of these studies show a dose-dependent increase in the contraction of smooth muscle from isolated rat colon, guinea pig ileum, and rabbit jejunum by A. peniculata extracts. Furthermore, it enhanced intestinal fecal transit in mice. Additional studies into its action suggested the involvement of a cholinergic mechanism.