April 2015 Vol.3 No.4

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Original Research Article

Antidiarrheal activity of methanol leaf extract of Lophira Lanceolata Tiegh (Ochnaeceae)

Nneka Igboeli¹, Collins A. Onyeto*², Augustine N. Okorie², Florence N. Mbaoji², Ifeoma A. Nwabunike²
and Daniel I. Alagboso¹

¹Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001 Enugu state, Nigeria
²Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 410001 Enugu state, Nigeria

^*Corresponding Author’s Email: kolinzuby@yahoo.co.uk
Tel: +2348034004221

Accepted April 20, 2015

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of methanol leaf extract of Lophira lanceolata for antidiarrheal and spasmolytic properties in experimental albino Wistar rats. The methanol extract (ME) obtained by 72 h maceration was evaluated for antidiarrheal activity using Castor oil induced diarrhea, GIT transit of Charcoal meal model in rodents and isolated guinea pig ileum model. The extract exhibited antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activity in a non-dose dependent manner. At 100 mg/kg, extract produced highest percentage diarrhea protection (63.33%) when compared to the negative control while 79.95% protection was recorded with loperamide. The extract exhibited highest anti-motility effect at 200 mg/kg of the extract (giving 5.14% motility inhibition as against 31.34% of atropine). The extract at 500µg completely blocked contraction induced by 5µg of acetylcholine. Similarly, 1µg of Atropine also blocked contraction induced by 5µg of acetylcholine. The results showed that the methanol leaf extract of Lophira lanceolata has antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activity which supports its folkloric medicinal use.

Keywords: Acetylcholine, Antidiarrheal, Antispasmodics, Guinea pig, Lophira lanceolata.