title: Antidiarrhoeal and antiulcerogenic effects of methanolic extract of Asparagus pubescens root in rats.
abstract: The effect of methanolic extract of Asparagus pubescens root on experimentally-induced diarrhoea and ulceration was investigated in rats. The extract (500-1500 mg/kg) dose-dependently, reduced significantly the intestinal propulsive movement, castor oil-induced diarrhoea and intestinal fluid accumulation. Yohimbine an alpha(2)-adrenoceptor blocker attenuated the antidiarrhoeal effect of the extract. The extract also reduced the ulcer indices induced by indomethacin and ethanol in a dose-related manner. The results indicate that its antidiarrhoeal and antiulcerogenic effects might in part be due to its alpha(2)-adrenoceptor stimulation and its active constituents respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri. P.M.B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria. yaysib@infoweb.abs.net
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Nwafor
authors.forename: F K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Okwuasaba
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Binda
mesh_terms: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000009:adverse effects; D019668:Liliaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D000930:Antidiarrheals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007213:Indomethacin; D000432:Methanol