title: Antidiarrheal mechanism of Carpolobia lutea leaf fractions in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carpolobia lutea G. Don (Polygalaceae) leaf is reputable as an antidiarrheal agent among the Efik and Ibibio tribe of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The crude extract is reported to show antidiarrheal and antiulcer effects in rodents.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The isolation and characterization of drug molecules from the leaf fraction with antidiarrheal bioactivity and determination of mechanism of action are reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gradient extraction by maceration yielding n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and ethanol fractions (770 mg/kg) were used to establish the fractions suitable for drug discovery. The antidiarrheal effect of the leaf fractions of Carpolobia lutea was evaluated using castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced intestinal transit, and enteropooling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate that all fractions produced a significant (p < 0.01-0.001) decrease in castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats. This effect was not antagonized by isosorbide dinitrate (150 mg/kg, p.o), diphenoxylate (5 × 10⁻³ mg/kg p.o) and yohimbine (1 mg/kg, s.c.) except for the chloroform fraction. The ethyl acetate fraction produced 100% inhibition of intestinal transit, an effect greater than pure drug. Phytochemical analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction yielded polyphenolic compounds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The leaf fractions contain two types of antidiarrheal agents, one mediating its effect through α₁-presynaptic adrenoceptor while the other does not. Polyphenols isolated may in part lend credence for observed antidiarrheal activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. menelucky@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Lucky Lebgosi
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Nwidu
authors.forename: Grace Emannuel
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Essien
authors.forename: Paul Alozie
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Nwafor
authors.forename: Wagner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vilegas
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates; D000818:Animals; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000378:metabolism; D002368:Castor Oil; D002400:Cathartics; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D045604:Extracellular Fluid / Q000187:drug effects; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D051379:Mice; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D029608:Polygalaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D012997:Solvents
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D000930:Antidiarrheals; D002400:Cathartics; D012997:Solvents; C007650:ethyl acetate; D002368:Castor Oil