title: The effect of methanol rhizome extract of Nymphaea lotus Linn. (Nymphaeaceae) in animal models of diarrhoea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nymphaea lotus, which is widely distributed throughout tropical Africa, enjoys a number of ethnomedical uses in Nigeria. Traditionally, the rhizomes of N. lotus are used to cure diarrhoea.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal activity of the methanol rhizome extract of N. lotus plant in laboratory animals.
  
  
  METHODS
  The extract was screened for activity against castor oil-induced diarrhoea and magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea as well as effect on gastric transit time in mice. The effect of methanol rhizome extract of Nymphaea lotus on the perfused isolated tissue preparation was also determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For castor oil-induced diarrhoea, the extract at doses of 200, 400 and 800mg/kg produced significant reduction in the frequency of diarrhoea (at p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively). The extract at 800mg/kg produced a significant delay in onset of diarrhoea (p<0.05) comparable to loperamide (3mg/kg). The frequency of magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea was also significantly reduced in the groups treated with 200, 400 and 800mg/kg of the extract at p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively. At doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg, the protection produced was comparable to loperamide, 3mg/kg. All treated groups produced significant reduction in the transit of charcoal meal along the intestinal tract at p<0.001. The extract at low concentration (4×10(-4)-6.4×10(-2)mg/ml) had contractile effect on the tone of contraction of the rabbit jejunum while at higher concentrations (8×10(-2)-512×10(-2)mg/ml) produced significant reduction in the tone and rate of spontaneous contraction of rabbit jejunum. The extract at lower concentrations (4×10(-4)-2×10(-2)mg/ml) has no effect on contraction of the guinea pig ileum while higher concentrations (4×10(-2)-512×10(-2)mg/ml) produced significant relaxant activity on guinea pig ileum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has shown that the methanol rhizome extract of N. lotus has antidiarrhoeal properties thus justifying its use by the local population for this purpose.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Electronic address: tbells116@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fatima Hauwa
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Bilkisu B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Maiha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Anuka
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000930:Antidiarrheals / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D002368:Castor Oil; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008139:Loperamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D030721:Nymphaea / Q000737:chemistry*; D010528:Peristalsis / Q000187:drug effects*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011817:Rabbits; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000930:Antidiarrheals; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012997:Solvents; D008139:Loperamide; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate; D002368:Castor Oil; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Castor oil-induced diarrhoea; Diarrhoea; Gastric transit time; Isolated tissue; Magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea; Nymphaea lotus