Purpose:
The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal activity of three
chromatographic fractions (L, S and Y) of
Stereospermum kunthianum
stem bark in mice.
Methods:
Vacuum liquid/column chromatography (VLC/ CC) were used to obtain three fractions (L,S
and Y) of Stereospermum kunthianum stem bark fractions. The antidiarrhoeal activities of these
fractions at doses ranging from 100 – 400 mg/kg were evaluated in diarrhoea episodes induced by
castor oil in mice. The controls were given distilled water (10 ml/kg) while 10 mg/kg of morphine was
used as the reference drug (positive control).
Results:
Pretreatment of mice with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of fraction L significantly (p < 0.05)
delayed the onset of diarrhoea compared with the distilled water-treated mice. Fraction L at the dose of
400 mg/kg significantly reduced the number of wet stools in the treated mice. Fraction S at the doses of
200 and 400 mg/kg dose-dependently and significantly delayed the onset of diarrhoea in the treated
mice. At the dose of 400 mg/kg, fraction S significantly reduced the number of wet stools and total
number of stools as well as the total weight of wet and total weight of stools, compared to the distilled
water-treated mice. Fraction Y at the three doses significantly delayed the onset of diarrhoea in the
treated mice.
Conclusion:
Vacuum liquid/column chromatography (VLC/CC) derived fractions L, S and Y of
Stereospermum kunthianum possessed antidiarrhoeal activity but to varying degrees. This study lends
further credence to the ethnomedicinal use of the plant for the treatment of diarrhoea.
