Spasmolytic activity of hyoscine butylbromide in gastrointestinal and
non-gastrointestinal tissues after oral and intravenous administrations.
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Hyoscine butylbromide (HBB) has a low oral (PO)
bioavailability. Further, limited data on its activity on
non-gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle spasms after oral dosing are
available, meaning its effect outside the GI tract has been questioned.
This pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) study, conducted using
female rats, aims to cover this gap. Experimental Approach: PK study:
HBB and atropine (comparator) were administered PO and IV to rats, and
concentrations in plasma, and colon, uterus and urinary bladder (CUB)
were measured. PD study-1: Concentration–response (C-R) curves of HBB
and atropine (10-9–10-4M) were
obtained for carbachol (CCH)-induced (10-5 M)
pre-contracted CUB; PD study-2: CUB were pre-incubated with HBB and
atropine at maximum concentrations (Cmax) from PK study, and CCH C-R
curves (10-9–10-4 M) were obtained;
PD study-3: HBB and atropine were administered PO and IV to rats as for
PK study, CUB were collected at 0.5 h (IV) and 4 h (PO), and CCH C-R
curves (10-9–10-4 M) were obtained.
Key Results: PO HBB showed higher Cmax in CUB (192.5, 3.70 and 1.85
ng∙g-1, respectively) than plasma (0.008
ng∙mL-1). HBB and atropine reduced (concentration
dependently) CCH-induced contractions in CUB. PO HBB showed highest
spasmolytic activity in colon (40%), followed by uterus (30%) and
urinary bladder (10%). Conclusion and Implications: This is the first
comparative study investigating PO and IV HBB and atropine in GI and
non-GI tissues. Despite low bioavailability, PO HBB accumulates and
exerts spasmolytic effects outside the GI tract.