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Anti-diarrhoeal activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus
Abstract
The methanolic leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus was investigated for anti-diarrhoeal activity. The anti-diarrhoeal activities were investigated using the castor oil-induced diarrhoea, magnesium sulphateinduced diarrhoea, small intestinal and distal colonic propulsion, isolated rabbit jejunum and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation. The results revealed that the methanolic leaf extract of Phyllanthus muellerianus significantly (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently inhibited castor oil-induced diarrhoea, magnesium sulphateinduced diarrhoea, and also inhibited small intestinal propulsion and distal colonic propulsion. The extract inhibited the spontaneous movement of the isolated rabbit jejunum and reduced castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation. The intraperitoneal LD50 of the extract in mice was found to be 547.7 mg/kg and preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, carbohydrates, free anthraquinones and flavonoids. The results of this study indicate the presence of biologically active substance(s) which may be beneficial in the management of diarrhoea.
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Key words: Phyllanthus muellerianus, Euphobiaceae, Herbal medicine, Anti-diarrhoea.
