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STUDIES ON GASTROINTESTINAL EFFECTS OF DESMODIUM VELUTINUM: A TRADITIONAL REMEDY FOR DIARRHEA

A. C. Ezike1, P. A. Akah1, C. O. Okoli1, I. K. Ufere1, E. Ezeudu1, C. F. Okoye1, C. Ashara1 and I. N. Igbokwe1
  • 1 University of Nigeria, Nigeria

Abstract

The gastrointestinal and antibacterial properties of dichloromethane: Methanol extract (DVE) and fractions (DVHF, DVDF and DVMF) from Desmodium velutinum Willd. DC. (Fabaceae) leaves were investigated. The extract and fractions significantly (p<0.05) reduced normal defecation in rats (33-100%) and significantly (p<0.05-0.001) protected rats against castor oil- induced diarrhea (40-100%). They significantly (p<0.05) prolonged the intestinal transit time of charcoal meal in mice and inhibited the spontaneous contractions of the isolated rabbit jejunum and acetylcholine- and histamine-induced contractions of the guinea pig ileum. They potently protected against ethanol and mildly against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers. Only DVE inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi with MICs of 37.15, 39.81, 100 and 100 mg mL-1 respectively. Acute toxicity test on DVE established an oral LD50>5g kg-1 in mice. Results demonstrated that D. velutinum leaf possesses gastrointestinal antimotility and antispasmodic effects and mild antibacterial and gastroprotective activities.

American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Volume 9 No. 2, 2014, 114-124

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajptsp.2014.114.124

Submitted On: 26 November 2013 Published On: 12 March 2014

How to Cite: Ezike, A. C., Akah, P. A., Okoli, C. O., Ufere, I. K., Ezeudu, E., Okoye, C. F., Ashara, C. & Igbokwe, I. N. (2014). STUDIES ON GASTROINTESTINAL EFFECTS OF DESMODIUM VELUTINUM: A TRADITIONAL REMEDY FOR DIARRHEA. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 9(2), 114-124. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajptsp.2014.114.124

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Keywords

  • Desmodium Velutinum
  • Antispasmodic
  • Gastrointestinal Motility
  • Guinea Pig Ileum
  • Rabbit Jejunum