Mechanism of action of drugs used in gastrointestinal diseases

Oxygen and food provide energy and building blocks for the survival of the human body. Direct respiration is responsible for oxygen intake; this oxygen is further utilized for metabolic processes in the body, while food undergoes a long process called digestion and absorption to provide nutrition values for metabolic reactions. Digestion is the basic function of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT); along with this function, it also serves as an important part of the endocrine system. As a specific enteric nervous system, the integrative neuronal network is present in GIT, where almost similar number of neurons is present in the spinal cord. This organ system is site for different diseases ranging from short modalities (dyspepsia) to complicated diseases like Crohn’s disease. In this chapter, we will discuss about physiological functions of the GIT and molecular mechanism of actions and pharmacological influences of synthetic drugs used for the treatment of different illnesses associated with the GIT.