Objective : The present study was performed to evaluate the preventive and curative antidiarrheal effects
of the methanol extract, fractions and compound from the stem bark of
Trilepisium madagascariense
in rats.
Materials and Methods : The methanol extract from the stem bark of
T. madagascariense, its fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous residue)
and compound (obtained from further column chromatography of the ethyl acetate fraction) were evaluated for the antidiarrheal activity in rats. These test samples
(at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for the extract and fractions and 2.5 mg/kg for compound) were assayed on the latent periods, purging indices and fecal frequencies in
castor oil-induced diarrhea. Gastrointestinal transit and castor oil-induced enteropooling assays were conducted. Shigella-induced diarrhea was assayed. Blood chemistry
and fecal Shigella load were examined.
Results : The fractionation of the ethyl acetate fraction from the methanol extract of
T. madagascariense afforded a known compound [isoliquiritigenin (1)].
Compound 1 increased the latent period of diarrhea induction (179.40 min) compared to the saline control (60.80 min). The purging indices, fecal frequencies and intestinal
enteropooling decreased with an increase in the dose of test samples. The blood cell counts, sera creatinine and fecal Shigella load decreased significantly
(P ≤ 0.05) in the plant extract-treated rats compared to the saline control.
Conclusion : The results of our study, being reported for the first time, provide clear evidence that the methanol extract, fractions and
isoliquiritigenin from
T. madagascariense stem bark possess antidiarrheal activities.
