Studies on the antidiarrhoeal properties of Pentaclethra macrophylla leaf extracts

The aqueous (WE) and ethanol (EE) leaf extracts of Pentaclethra. macrophyll a were tested for antidiarrhoeal activity using experimental animal models. The i.p. LD50 values were established to be 770 mg/kg and 280 mg/kg for th e aqueous (WE) and ethanol (EE) extracts, respectively, Antidiarrhoeal pote ntial of the extracts was evidenced by a significant reduction in faecal ou tput and protection from castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats treated with the extracts. In addition the extracts significantly (p < 0.05) decreased p ropulsive movement of gastrointestinal contents in mice. On isolated tissue preparations, the extracts significantly reduced in a non-specific manner contractions evoked by acetylcholine, nicotine and histamine, The extracts inhibited the grow th of common pathogenic microorganisms. The antispasmodi c as well as the antimicrobial effects of the extracts may explain the rati onale for the use of the plant in traditional medicine as a popular antidia rrhoeal recipe. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.