Effect of rhubarb decoction on the isolated intestinal movement of Ophicephalus argus.

[Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate effects of rhubarb decoction with different concentrations on the isolated intestinal movement performance of Ophicephalus argus,and to discuss its pharmacological mechanism.[Method] With RM6240C biological signal collection and processing system,tension values of the isolated intestine before and after the treatment by rhubarb decoction with different concentrations were recorded by the isolated organ method.[Result] Rhubarb decoction with concentration of 0.062 and 0.125 g/ml showed obvious enhancement on the isolated intestinal contraction of Ophicephalus argus,while rhubarb decoction with concentration of 0.250 and 0.500 g/ml showed inhibition on the isolated intestinal contraction of Ophicephalus argus.There was an extremely significant difference in rhubarb decoction with concentration of lower than 0.500 g/ml and more than 0.500 g/ml.With the increase of rhubarb concentration,the intestinal movement of Ophicephalus argus enhanced,but the contraction frequency did not change obviously.[Conclusion] Rhubarb decoction has remarkable effects on the contraction of smooth muscle in the isolated intestines of Ophicephalus argus.