Antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous extract of <i>Combretum sericeum</i> roots in rats

Abstract

The antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous extract of Combretum sericeum roots was evaluated in rats. Studies were carried out on castor oil induced diarrhea, gastrointestinal motility and castor oil induced fluid accumulation. The extract (25 and 50 mg/kg) causes a dose dependent protection against castor oil induced diarrhea and castor oil induced fluid accumulation and decreased markedly gastrointestinal transit. The intraperitoneal LD50 of the extract was found to be 177.48 mg/kg in mice. A preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of C. sericeum roots revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones and alkaloids. The results obtained showed that the water
extract of C. sericeum roots may be active against diarrhea and this may be the basis for its use traditionally for gastrointestinal disorders.