Antidiarrhoea Activities of Aqueous Extract of Myrianthus arboreus Leaves in Albino Rats
N. Nwachoko *
Department of Biochemistry, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt P.M.B. 5080, Rivers State, Nigeria.
E. B. Essien
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
E. O. Ayalogu
Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of 5 years. Due to this problem, the World Health Organization has encouraged studies that will bring about the desired treatment and prevention of diarrhoea. Myrianthus arboreus leaves (MA) is used in some tribes of Nigeria for food. In this study, the antidiarrhoea activities of the aqueous extract of Myrianthus arboreus leaves were investigated with experimental animals via feacal count, measurement gastrointestinal charcoal meal distance and electrolyte composition. The extract (500, 1000 and 2000) mg/kg in comparison with loperamide hydrochloride, decreased the degree of gastrointestinal motility, production of diarrhoea stool, reduced the frequency of defecation and delayed the onset of diarrhoea in castor oil induced in albino rats. Also the extract inhibited the concentration of intestinal fluid electrolytes.
Keywords: Diarrhoea, Myrianthus arboreu, castor oil, loperamide hydrochloride.