Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research (ISSN : 0975-7384)

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Original Articles: 2012 Vol: 4 Issue: 10

Phytochemical and anti-diarrhoeal properties of ethyl acetate root extract of Guiera Senegalensis J. F. Gmelin via oral route

Abstract

The study investigated the anti-diarrhoeal properties and phytochemical constituents of the ethyl acetate root extract of Guiera senegalensis. The phytochemical components of the extract were evaluated by qualitative test. White Wister strain albino rats weighing between 150-200 g were used to investigate the acute toxicity and the antidiarrhoeal activity of the ethyl acetate root extract by using the castor oil-induced diarrhoea method. The effect of ethyl acetate extract on contraction of isolated rabbit jejunum and responses of the tissue to acetylcholine were also investigated in vitro. The extract was found to be safe at the doses tested. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, reducing and combined sugars, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and cardenolides. The results of the present study showed that the extract of the root of G. senegalensis produced a statistically significant (p<0.05) reduction in the frequency of diarrhoea produced by castor oil, castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation and transit of charcoal meal. The ethyl acetate extract at a dose of 800 mg/kg inhibited significantly (p<0.05) the castor oil-induced diarrhoea by 75.55%. The extract also attenuated the spontaneous contraction of the isolated rabbit jejunum concentration-dependently. It can be concluded that, ethyl acetate extract possess anti-diarrhoeal properties. The possible mechanism of action could be by attenuating the spontaneous contractions of the intestine, thus the study provided a scientific basis for the use of G. senegalensis root extract in the treatment of diarrhoea.