title: Evaluation of the antidiarrhoeal effects of Zizyphus spina-christi stem bark in rats.
abstract: The antidiarrhoeal effects of the methanol extract of Zizyphus spina-christi stem bark were evaluated in laboratory rodents. Studies on castor oil induced diarrhoea, intraluminal fluid accumulation, and gastrointestinal transit time were carried out. Results obtained revealed that the extract caused a dose dependent protection of rats against castor oil induced diarrhoea, decreased the intraluminal fluid accumulation and gastrointestinal transit. The intraperitoneal and oral LD(50) values were found to be 346+/-5.6 and 1200+/-41.2 mg/kg in mice. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of glycosides, resins, saponins, and tannins. It is suggested that the extract may contain biologically active components that may be useful against diarrhoea, thereby justifying its use in ethnomedical practice as an antidiarrhoeal agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, P.M.B. 21 Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adzu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amos
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Amizan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gamaniel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002368:Castor Oil; D002432:Cecum / Q000378:metabolism; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D009549:Nigeria; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D024301:Plant Bark / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D031957:Ziziphus / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D002368:Castor Oil; D000432:Methanol