title: Evaluation of antidiarrheal and in vitro antiprotozoal activities of extracts of leaves of Alocasia indica.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alocasia indica Schott (Araceae) is used in several regions of India, especially in rural communities, by traditional medicine practitioners to treat diarrhea. However, no scientific data are available to justify the traditional potentials of the plant species in gastrointestinal disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the antidiarrheal and in vitro antiprotozoal activities of extracts of leaves of Alocasia indica using various pharmacological models.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro antidiarrheal activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Alocasia indica was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella flexneri and Staphylococcus aureus by agar well diffusion method. In vivo antidiarrheal activity of the extracts was studied against recinolic acid-induced diarrhea and magnesium sulfate-induced diarrhea. The effect of the extracts on normal intestinal transit, recinolic acid-induced intestinal transit, recinolic acid-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) and gastric emptying was assessed. In vitro antiprotozoal activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Alocasia indica was studied against Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia intestinalis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aqueous and ethanol extracts exhibited significant in vitro antidiarrheal activity compared to the standard drug ciprofloxacine (10 µg/mL). The plant extracts showed significant (P <0.05) and dose-dependent antidiarrheal activity comparable to that of the reference drug, loperamide (10 mg/kg). The plant extracts exhibited significant in vitro antiprotozoal activity against both protozoa compared to the standard amebicidal and giardicidal drugs, metronidazole and emetine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results showed that the extracts of Alocasia indica have significant antidiarrheal and in vitro antiprotozoal activities which support its use in traditional herbal medicine practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Government College of Pharmacy, Vidyanagar, Karad, Maharashtra, India. wahidmulla@gmail.com
authors.forename: Wahid A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Mulla
authors.forename: Atul R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Chopade
authors.forename: Satish B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Bhise
authors.forename: Kishor B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Burade
authors.forename: Chitra C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Khanwelkar
mesh_terms: D031055:Alocasia / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000187:drug effects; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000930:Antidiarrheals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts