Purpose:
The present study was undertaken in order to evaluate
the antidiarrhoeal activity of three chromatographic
fractions (L, S and Y) of Stereospermum kunthianum stem
bark in mice.
Methods:
Vacuum liquid/column chromatography (VLC/ CC) were used
to obtain three fractions (L,S and Y) of Stereospermum
kunthianum stem bark fractions. The antidiarrhoeal
activities of these fractions at doses ranging from 100
– 400 mg/kg were evaluated in diarrhoea episodes induced
by castor oil in mice. The controls were given
distilled water (10 ml/kg) while 10 mg/kg of morphine
was used as the reference drug (positive control).
Results:
Pretreatment of mice with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of
fraction L significantly (p < 0.05) delayed the onset of
diarrhoea compared with the distilled water-treated
mice. Fraction L at the dose of 400 mg/kg
significantly reduced the number of wet stools in the
treated mice. Fraction S at the doses of 200 and 400
mg/kg dose-dependently and significantly delayed the
onset of diarrhoea in the treated mice. At the dose of
400 mg/kg, fraction S significantly reduced the number
of wet stools and total number of stools as well as the
total weight of wet and total weight of stools, compared
to the distilled water-treated mice. Fraction Y at the
three doses significantly delayed the onset of diarrhoea
in the treated mice.
Conclusion:
Vacuum liquid/column chromatography (VLC/CC) derived
fractions L, S and Y of Stereospermum kunthianum
possessed antidiarrhoeal activity but to varying
degrees. This study lends further credence to the
ethnomedicinal use of the plant for the treatment of
diarrhoea.
Keywords:
Antidiarrhoeal activity, chromatographic fractions,
Stereospermum kunthianum, stools
