Biol. Pharm. Bull. 29(7) 1349—1354 (2006)

effective symptomatic relief in patients with dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia, and is widely used in the treatment of gastritis. Gastric motility may be regulated by multiple neural systems. Studies on the mechanisms involving the neuronal systems suggest the involvement of cholinergic and noradrenergic systems. Additionally, various studies have suggested the existence of dopamine neurons and receptors in these tracts. Domperidone, a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist, is also clinically effective in treating functional gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflex, gastritis, gastric atony, gastroptosis, dyspepsia, anorexia, nausea and vomiting. However, the pharmacological differences between Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang and domperidone are unclear. This study was undertaken to validate the different characteristics of Liu-Jun-Zi-Tang, a dried decoctum of 8 Chinese herbs, and domperidone, a dopamine D2-receptor antagonist, on isolated guinea pig ileum; both substances are clinically and widely used in the treatment of gastritis.