Wuda Granule Improves the Gastrointestinal Motility via Gut‐Brain Axis in Beagle Dogs

ABSTRACT This study investigated the mechanism of Wuda granule (WDG) on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in beagle dogs. Stress sensors implanted in the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and colon recorded contractile activity. Lateral ventricular administration of WDG (5 mg) significantly enhanced contractile motility in all recorded GI regions in awake dogs; this effect was attenuated under intravenous anesthesia. The prokinetic effect of central WDG was completely blocked by intravenous atropine infusion [50 μg/(kg·h)]. Bilateral cervical vagotomy prolonged the migrating motor complex cycle, weakened gastric phase III contractions, and abolished the WDG‐induced enhancement specifically in the stomach. However, WDG still enhanced motility in the duodenum, jejunum, and colon post‐vagotomy. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed no intestinal structural changes induced by WDG. WDG enhances GI contractility centrally, primarily via activation of vagal cholinergic pathways for the stomach, while exerting effects on the lower GI tract through additional, non‐vagal mechanisms.