Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

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Original Research Article

Antidiarrheal Activity of the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Morinda morindoides in Rats

S Meite^1*, J D N’guessan¹, C Bahi¹, H F Yapi¹, A J Djaman^1,2 and F Guede Guina¹

¹Biochemical Pharmacodynamy Laboratory, Biosciences Department, Cocody University PO Box 582, Abidjan 22, ²Biochemical Laboratory of Pasteur Institut of Côte d’Ivoire, PO Box 490, Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire.

*For correspondence: Email: souley_ci@yahoo.fr Tel: (00225) 05-04-14-05

Received: 27 Nov 2008 Revised accepted: 12 Mar 2009

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, June 2009; 8(3): 201-207

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the study was to investigate the ethyl acetate extract of Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh (Rubiaceae) (MM-EA) properties against experimental diarrheoa induced by castor oil in albino Wistar rats.

Methods: The ethyl acetate extract of Morinda morindoides (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally to three groups of rats (five animals per group) in order to evaluate the activity of the extract against castor oil-induced diarrhea model in rat. Two other groups received normal saline (5mg/kg) and loperamide (5mg/kg) as positive control. The effect of the extract on intestinal transit and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) was assessed.

Results: At oral doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight, the plant extract showed pronounced and dose-dependent antidiarrheal activity. The protective role of the extract at 1000 mg/kg was comparable to that of the reference drug, loperamide (5mg/kg). The extract (1000 mg/kg) produced a decrease in intestinal transit comparable to atropine (5mg/kg), and significantly (p<0.01) inhibited castor oil-induced enteropooling. No mortality and visible signs of general weakness were observed in the rats following the extract administration of up to a dose of 6000 mg/kg.

Conclusion: The results showed that the extract of M. morindoides has a significant antidiarrheal activity which supports its use in traditional herbal medicine practice.

Keywords: Antidiarrheal activity, Castor oil, Morinda morindoides, Intestinal transit, enteropooling