Effect of methanolic extract of Cassia nigricans leaves on rat gastrointestinal tract.
The effects of the methanolic extract of Cassia nigricans leaves were investigated on experimentally-induced diarrhoea and ulceration in rat. The extract dose-dependently reduced both the small intestinal propulsive movement (P<0.01-0.001), and castor oil-induced fluid accumulation (P<0.05-0.001). Its inhibitory effects on intestinal propulsive movement and fluid accumulation were significantly (P<0.05) antagonised by yohimbine. However, castor oil-induced diarrhoea was increased. The extract also reduced significantly (P<0.05-0.001) the ulcers induced by both indomethacin and ethanol. The results indicate that the observed antidiarrhoeal effect might in part be due to alpha(2)-adrenoceptor stimulation.
Nwafor
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PA
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri PMB 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria. nwaforp@unimaid.edu.ng
Okwuasaba
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FK
D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002368:Castor Oil; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D000431:Ethanol; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D007213:Indomethacin; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D019685:Rosales; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol; D002368:Castor Oil; D007213:Indomethacin