Toxicological implications and laxative potential of ethanol root extract of Morella serrata in loperamide-induced constipated Wistar rats.
BACKGROUND
Morella serrata L. (Myricaceae) is commonly used in South Africa to treat several diseases including constipation.


OBJECTIVE
This study investigated toxicological implications and laxative potential of the ethanol root extract of the plant.


METHODS
While normal control animals were placed on sterile placebo, the loperamide-constipated rats were treated with the extract at 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg doses for 7 days, and their feeding patterns and faecal properties were monitored. Gastrointestinal transit ratio and the toxicity profile of the tested doses were thereafter evaluated.


RESULTS
The significantly increased faecal volume (192.08%), feed (63.63%), water intake (55.97%) and improved intestinal motility (95.05%) in the constipated rats following treatment with the extract (at 300 mg/kg) suggested laxative potential of the extract. The 1.5-2.0-fold normalization of the platelets, erythrocytes and leukocytes counts in the extract-treated constipated rats suggests its non-haematotoxic tendency. Furthermore, the extract (at the highest investigated dose) reversed the attenuation in the concentrations of the electrolytes (0.5-2-fold), total protein (62.12%) and albumin (55.88%) in the constipated animals as well as attenuated activities of hepatic enzymes (0.5-3.0-fold) and levels of urea (126.67%), creatinine (40.32%), cholesterol (3-fold) and triglycerides (9-fold). These further support its non-toxic and therapeutic attributes against constipation.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the effect exhibited by M. serrata in this study competed well with Senokot (standard drug) and proved that it may be relatively safe and with excellent laxative potential, thus, supporting its pharmacological applications in South Africa.
a Phytomedicine and Phytopharmacology Research Group, Department of Plant Sciences , University of the Free State , Phuthaditjhaba , South Africa.
Saheed
S
Sabiu
a Phytomedicine and Phytopharmacology Research Group, Department of Plant Sciences , University of the Free State , Phuthaditjhaba , South Africa.
Omotayo Tom Anofi
OT
Ashafa
D000818:Animals; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D054368:Laxatives / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D008139:Loperamide / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D029590:Myricaceae; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D054368:Laxatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol; D008139:Loperamide
Basotho; Senokot; carmine; constipation; thrombocytopenia