PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIDIARRHOEAL STUDIES OF THE STEM BARK OF CEIBA PENTANDRA (BOMBACACEAE)
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Date
2009-03
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Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria
Abstract
Ceiba pentandra is a plant commonly used traditionally to treat ailments including diarrhea in Nigeria. The methanolic extract of the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra was studied for its phytochemical constituents and antidiarrhoeal activity using castor oil-induced diarrhea and intestinal transit time models in mice. The phytochemical studies of the methanolic extract revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, terpenes, resins and carbohydrates. The extract showed significant (p< 0.05) protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea at (1000mg/kg) but no significant delay in intestinal transit time was observed. The median lethal dose (LD50) of the methanolic extract was found to be greater than 5000mg/kg which suggested that the extract was non toxic at the antidiarrhoeal dose of 1000mg/kg. The results indicate that the methanolic extract contains compounds with antidiarrhoeal activity
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Keywords
Ceiba pentandra, Diarrhea in Nigeria, Methanolic extract