Appetite stimulants,

Digestants and carminatives

BP602T
Pharmacology III
 Appetite
Appetite is a desire to eat or drink. Appetite is a complex phenomenon influenced by
several factors. The final outcome is achieved by the release of various hypothalamic
peptides which are integrated with catecholaminergic, serotoninergic and opioid
signaling pathways. Dopamine and 5-HT mediated processes in the CNS, and Ghrelin,
a gut-brain peptide, probably play an important role in appetite control.
Loss of appetite (anorexia) is a common complaint in clinical practice. Its etiology varies from prolonged, debilitating illnesses to
purely psychological disturbances such as depression. It is common in patients with widespread cancer.

Symptomatically, appetite can often be improved by varying the diet and by use of such
simple preparations like - Lemon pickles, Bitters such as bitter orange peel and soups.
The aromatic bitter appetite stimulants combine the property of bitterness with that of an
aromatic volatile oil e.g. orange, ginger and cardamom.
Alcohol: In small quantities (10%), given before a meal it can augment the gastric secretion
both reflexly by stimulation of the taste buds and by a direct action. It is a major constituent of
popular ‘tonics’. Many tonics dispensed in fancy bottles contain 10-15% of alcohol. Repeated
ingestion of alcohol, however, causes chronic gastritis and a diminution in appetite. The use of
alcohol containing ‘tonics’ in children is to be condemned. Their prolonged use even in adults
is to be discouraged.
Megestrol acetate and Glucocorticoids are useful in increasing the appetite but not
necessarily weight in patients with cancer-induced cachexia. Insulin and oral hypoglycemics
augment gastric secretion by producing hypoglycemia; however, their use is irrational and
hazardous. Similar claims have been advanced for vitamin B12 and Anabolic steroids but
whether appetite stimulation is their primary action or secondary to their metabolic effects
remains to be established. The 5-HT antagonist Cyproheptadine, has also some appetite
stimulating property; however, used in large doses, it inhibits the release of ACTH and
depresses the circulating cortisol level. Thus there is no safe and reliable appetite stimulant.
Anorexia nervosa is a chronic disorder characterised by loss of appetite and self induced
weight loss, accompanied by psychological and physiological alterations such as
amenorrhoea. Hypothalamic abnormalities are believed to play a role in its pathogenesis.
Almost no pharmacological agent of proven value is available for its treatment.
Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic acting on multiple receptors, and Reboxitine (a
selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NaRI), the first drug of new antidepressant class. Reboxetine is an a-ariloxybenzyl

derivative of morpholine), an antidepressant, have been tried as adjuncts.

Antiemetic Dronabinol is pure Tetrahydrocannabinol produced synthetically or extracted from
Cannabis. With CNS effect, in lower dose, it is an appetite stimulant as well

DIGESTANTS
The digestants are the drugs that are claimed to aid digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. These are
substances intended to promote digestion of food. A number of proteolytic, amylolytic and
lipolytic enzymes are marketed in combination formulations and are vigorously promoted for
dyspeptic symptoms, and as appetite stimulants or health tonics. They are occasionally beneficial,
the commonly used digestants are:
PEPSIN: This is a proteolytic enzyme. May be used along with HCl in gastric achylia (a condition
characterised by defective acid and pepsin secretion.) due to atrophic gastritis, gastric carcinoma, pernicious
anaemia, etc.
Enzyme, PAPAIN, obtained from vegetable source (raw papaya), also has proteolytic properties. Its efficacy after
oral ingestion is doubtful.

RENNIN: This is a partially purified milk-curdling enzyme, obtained from the glandular layer of calf
stomach. It is used in the preparation of cheese.
PANCREATIN: It is a mixture of pancreatic enzymes obtained from hog and pig pancreas. It contains
amylase, trypsin and lipase. It has been employed as a replacement therapy in chronic pancreatitis, obstruction
caused by the cancer of the head of pancreas, cystic fibrosis, and after total gastrectomy and pancreatectomy.
It is not useful in GI disorders unrelated to pancreatic enzyme insufficiency. It is administered orally in enteric
coated capsules, to prevent its gastric inactivation. Prolonged use of pancreatin may cause fibrosing
colonopathy.
BILE AND BILE ACIDS: Normally, about 1000 ml of bile is secreted by the liver per day. It contains bile
acids, cholesterol and bilirubin. Bile acids are important in emulsifying the fats in the intestine.
Cholecystokinin (CCK), the polypeptide secreted by the duodenal mucosa, is the main
stimulant to biliary secretion. Bile salts and bile acids increase the flow as well as the
concentration of bile and are termed choleretics. The bile salt preparations have been
employed to facilitate surgical drainage, as replacement therapy in biliary fistulae, and for their
choleretic effect in conditions like liver cirrhosis and functional hepatic insufficiency. Their
usefulness, however, is doubtful.
CHENODEOXYCHOLIC ACID (CDCA, Chenodiol): This normal constituent of bile reduces
biliary cholesterol concentration by depressing hepatic cholesterol secretion and improves
solubility of cholesterol in bile. It dissolves radiolucent gallstones but is ineffective with the
radio-opaque (calcified) ones. The results are poor in the presence of a nonfunctioning gall
bladder. The drug causes diarrhoea, increase in the LDL cholesterol and rarely hepatotoxicity.
It has been replaced by ursodeoxycholic acid. URSODEOXYCHOLIC ACID, (Ursodiol) an
analogue of CDCA is formed from chenodiol by colonic bacteria. It has similar actions but
unlike chenodiol, it does not increase the secretion of bile acids into bile. Given orally, it is
absorbed rapidly and taken up by the liver. It is better tolerated than chenodiol. Ursodiol, given
orally in the dose of 8-12 mg/kg/day, in divided doses, has been reported to cause clinical,
biochemical and histological improvement in primary biliary cirrhosis. It acts by modifying
the composition of bile acids in the liver, thereby hindering the progression of the pathological
process. It lowers the serum cholesterol levels in these patients.
Diastase and Takadiastase These are amylolytic enzymes obtained from the
fungus Aspergillus oryzae. They have been used in pancreatic insufficiency,
but efficacy is equivocal.
Enzyme preparations containing an antispasmodic or a laxative and fixed dose combinations of pancreatine
or pancrelipase containing amylase, protease and lipase with any other enzyme are banned in India

Methyl polysiloxane (Dimethyl polysiloxane, Simethicone, Dimethicone) It is a silicone polymer, a

viscous amphiphilic liquid—reduces surface tension and collapses froth, ‘antifoaming agent’. It is not
absorbed from g.i.t. and is pharmacologically inert. Added to antacid, digestant and antireflux preparations,
it is briskly promoted as a remedy for ‘gas’, a very 671 CHAPTER 47 ANTIEMETIC, PROKINETIC AND
DIGESTANT DRUGS common gastric complaint. It is also claimed to coat and protect ulcer surface, to aid
dispersion of antacids in gastric contents, and to prevent gastroesophageal reflux

Carminatives
Most of these drugs are aromatic volatile oils. They act by mild stimulation thereby increasing the GI
motility and causing relaxation of sphincters. They produce a feeling of warmth in the stomach. They do not
affect the gastric acid secretion significantly. Indian food contains enough carminatives in the form of
various spices and condiments.
The common carminatives are:
Cardamom seeds, Ginger, Fennel seeds, Asafoetida, Cinnamon bark, Cloves, Coriander and
Anise.
Along with Sodium bicarbonate, they form important constituents of various ‘Gripe water’
mixtures commonly used in infants to relieve griping.
Although carminatives may afford some quick symptomatic relief and audible satisfaction, it
must be remembered that flatulent dyspepsia may be associated with disorders such as peptic
ulcer, biliary tract disease, the irritable bowel syndrome, alimentary tumours and even IHD.
DIMETHYLPOLYSILOXANE: This silicone derivative has been advocated in symptomatic
treatment of postprandial and postoperative flatulence and abdominal distension. It is believed to act
as a defoaming agent, allowing the gas to escape from the GI tract, providing comfort to the patient
with ‘gases.’ However, evidence to support these claims is not convincing. It is not particularly
effective in reducing gas that may interfere with radiologic or ultrasound examination of the
abdomen. Simethicone is a mixture of dimethylpolysiloxane and silicagel