Evaluation of the Antidiarrhoeal Activity of the Methanolic Leaf Extract of Newbouldia Laevis Seemanan (Bignoniaceae) in Mice

Abstract

Newbouldia Laevis (N.L) has been used by traditional medical practitioner in Benin city for the treatment of diarrhoea which has high mortality especially in children. The aim of this study is to use different models to evaluate anti diarrhoeal potential of the methanolic leaf extract of this plant.Results showed that the extract caused a significant (p<0.05) reduction in weight and number of stools and reduced the frequency of castor oil induced diarrhoea in mice. The extract (100mg/kg) also produced a significant (p<0.05) inhibition of intestinal transit. N.L extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the volume of fluid accumulated in the intestines compared to the control. It was thus concluded that the methanolic leaf extract of (N.L.) possesses a significant antidiarrhoeal activity as exemplified by its effect on GIT motility and experimentally induced diarrhoea.