Antidiarrheal and Antispasmodic Effects of Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Boswellia dalzielii H. in Wistar Rats

Abstract

The modulatory potentials of the ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii H. on diarrhea and gastrointestinal motility was investigated in rats. Antidiarrheal activity was evaluated in castor oil induced model using 25 inbreed, overnight fasted rats
divided into five groups (A-E). Intestinal motility was determined using Charcoal transit time in 25 overnight fasted rats divided equally into five groups (A-E). Graded doses of the plant extract (100,200 and 400mg/kg respectively) were given to groups B, C and D, while group A served as vehicle control (VEH) (distilled water) and group E served as Atropine control(0.1mg/kg). Antispasmodic activity of the plant extract was determined with 3cm piece of isolated rat ileum incubated in a thermostatically regulated organ bath. The set-up allows for in vitro assessment of intestinal motility with atropine and acetylcholine as standard drugs for cholinergic muscarinic receptor potentials. The ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielli H significantly (P<0.0001) and dose dependently reduced castor oil induced diarrhea and activated charcoal transit time in rats. The plant extract significantly (P<0.05) and dose dependently inhibited acetylcholine induced contractility of isolated ileac segments of rats when compared to controls. The ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii H causes delay in gastrointestinal contractions via the inhibition of muscarinic cholinergic receptors in rats.