Effect of aqueous leaf extract of Irvingia gabonensis on gastrointestinal tract in rodents

Indian J Exp Biol. 2004 Aug;42(8):787-91.

Abstract

Effect of the aqueous leaf extract of I. gabonensis on the gastrointestinal tract was investigated on isolated rabbit jejunum, guinea pig ileum, gastrointestinal motility, castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice and castor oil-induced fluid accumulation in rats. The results showed that the extract exhibited a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous pendular movement of isolated rabbit jejunum and guinea pig ileum, and attenuated both acetylcholine-induced contraction of rabbit jejunum and histamine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum. The extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) also caused a significant dose-dependent decrease of gastrointestinal motility in mice (40.12, 39.45 and 37.45%), intestinal fluid accumulation in rats (71.43, 81.63 and 83.27%), and remarkably protected mice against castor oil-induced diarrhoea [58.33, 75 and 91.67% (Di Carlo score)] respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous leaf extract of I. gabonensis revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols and phlobatanins.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antidiarrheals / pharmacology*
  • Cellulose / pharmacology*
  • Diarrhea / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / drug effects
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / drug effects*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / physiology
  • Guinea Pigs
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Simaroubaceae*

Substances

  • Antidiarrheals
  • Plant Extracts
  • dikanut
  • Cellulose