title: The antidiarrhoeal activity of Alchornea cordifolia leaf extract.
abstract: Diarrhoea is a public health problem in developing countries. It is therefore important and useful to identify plants with antidiarrhoeal activity. Alchornea cordifolia is quoted by many traditional healers as a plant with this activity. The antidiarrhoeal activity of its leaf extract was investigated against castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice, using morphine as the standard reference drug. A significant (p < 0.01) dose related (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg) antidiarrhoeal activity of A. cordifolia leaf ethanol extract was observed with 800 mg/kg extract being the most effective. It delayed mouse intestinal transit accelerated by castor oil, inhibited the production of diarrhoeal faeces and modified the fluid and electrolyte transport across the colonic mucosa when administered intraluminally. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins and flavonoids which may account for the increased colonic water and electrolyte reabsorption, a mechanism suggested for the antidiarrhoeal activity of A. cordifolia.
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine Research Centre, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, P.O Box 6163, Yaounde, Cameroon. jngogang@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Gabriel A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Agbor
authors.forename: Talla
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Léopold
authors.forename: Ngogang Y
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Jeanne
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002368:Castor Oil; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D019665:Euphorbiaceae; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000930:Antidiarrheals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002368:Castor Oil