Anti-diarrhoeal activity of the aqueous extract of Mezoneuron benthamianum Baill (Caesalpiniaceae).

The effect of the aqueous extract of Mezoneuron benthamianum (MB) on experimentally induced diarrhoea, intestinal propulsive movement (IPM) and intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) were investigated in rats and mice. The extract (400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg, orally) produced a significant (p<0.05) and dose-dependent reduction in propulsion in the castor oil-induced intestinal transit in mice. The mean peristaltic index (%) for these doses of extract, control, (distilled water, 10 ml/kg, p.o.) and morphine, (10 mg/kg, s.c.) were 73.48, 69.34, 57.27, 89.93 and 31.56, respectively. The effect of the extract at the highest dose was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of the standard drug. This effect was antagonised by yohimbine (1mg/kg, s.c.). In a dose-dependent manner, the extract delayed the onset of diarrhoea, produced a significant decrease in the frequency of defaecation, severity of diarrhoea and protected the mice treated with castor oil. Total diarrhoea scores were 12.0+/-0.63, 10.3+/-2.06, 8.5+/-2.15, 7.1+/-0.91 and 5.8+/-0.79 for control, extract (400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg) and morphine, respectively. The extract significantly decreased the volume (ml) of intestinal fluid secretion induced by castor oil (1.75+/-0.02 to 0.93+/-0.04) compared with 1.90+/-0.05 for control. The inhibitory effect on fluid accumulation by the extract was also attenuated by yohimbine (1.0 mg/kg). Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones and saponins. Administration of the extract up to 2 g/kg (orally) did not produce any toxic effect in the acute toxicity studies in mice. The LD(50) of the extract when given intraperitoneally was 1021.31 mg/kg. The results obtained show that MB possesses anti-diarrhoeal activity due to its inhibitory effects on gastrointestinal propulsion and intestinal fluid accumulation. The antagonistic actions of yohimbine in the experiments suggest a role for the a(2)-adrenergic receptor system.