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Published:
Jun 23, 2021Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Ameliorative effect of <i>Houttuynia cordata</i> Thunb (Saururaceae) leaf extract in loperamide-induced constipation in rats
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of Houttuynia cordata Thunb (Saururaceae) extract against loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats.
Methods: Constipation was induced by loperamide (3 mg/kg). The rats were orally treated daily with either 40, 80, 160 mg/kg/day of H. cordata extract or 0.25 mg/kg bisacodyl (positive control) for 7 days, while normal control group received water only. Feed and water intake, body weight, number and water content of fecal pellets were monitored throughout the study period. The biochemical marker activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in the blood of the animals.
Results: The water content of fecal pellets and body weight gain of the constipation rats changed significantly (p < 0.05) when compared to the normal control. Serum levels of AST were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the 80 and 160 mg/kg dose groups when compared to normal controls. However, there were no alterations in the levels of γ-GT and LDH across all groups.
Conclusion: Treatment of rats with ethanol extract of H. cordata leaf has useful effects against constipation. Therefore, H. cordata leaf may be benefitial as a traditional herbal medicine for the management of constipation.
