Antimotility effects of extracts and fractions of Eastern Nigeria mistletoe (Loranthus micranthus Linn).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antimotility activity of Eastern Nigerian mistletoe[Loranthus micranthus (L. micranthus) Linn] parasitic on six different host trees viz. Baphia nitida, Persia americana, Kola accuminata, Irvingia gabonensis, Citrus simensis and Pentacletra macrophylla (P. mycrophylla).


METHODS
The antimotility of the methanol extracts and solvent fractions were evaluated in castor oil induced diarrheoa in rats.


RESULTS
The methanol extracts (200 mg/kg, i.p.) inhibited defeacation significantly (P < 0.05) 4 h after administration (75.73% to 93.33%) more than that of atropine sulphate (2 mg/kg, i.p.) which inhibited defeacation by 80.0%. The methanol extract (200 mg/kg, i.p.) of L. micranthus parasitic on P. mycrophylla exhibited significant (P<0.05) inhibition in gastrointestinal transit (67.6%) more than that of atropine sulphate (2 mg/kg, i.p.) which inhibited gastrointestinal transit by 26.4%. The solvent fractions of L. micranthus parasitic on P. mycrophylla at dose levels of 150 mg/kg inhibited significantly the gastrointestinal transit of mice. Fraction F(5) exhibited inhibitory activity which was comparable to loperamide (73.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The methanol extract of L. micranthus parasitic on P. macrophylla exhibits higher antimotility activity that other extracts. The solvent fractions could serve as source of novel antimotility agents.
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Patience O
PO
Osadebe
Chika C
CC
Abba
Matthias O
MO
Agbo
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002368:Castor Oil / Q000633:toxicity; D002400:Cathartics / Q000633:toxicity; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects*; D028183:Loranthaceae; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000930:Antidiarrheals; D002400:Cathartics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002368:Castor Oil