Journal of
Medicinal Plants Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Med. Plants Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0875
  • DOI: 10.5897/JMPR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 3835

Full Length Research Paper

Ethanolic leaf extract of Verbena hastata produces antidiarrhoeal and gastrointestinal motility slowing effects in albino rats

G. C. Akuodor1*, M. Idris-Usman1, T. C. Ugwu1, J. L. Akpan2, L. A. Irogbeyi3, T. C. Iwuanyanwu1 and U. A. Osunkwo2
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development P. M. B 21, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria. 2Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Ebonyi State University, Abakiliki, Nigeria. 3Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 28 May 2010
  •  Published: 18 August 2010

Abstract

The antidiarrhoeal effects of ethanol leaf extract of Verbena hastata were evaluated in rat .Studies were investigated on castor oil- induced diarrhoea and gastrointestinal motility activity in rat. The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) elicited a greater anti-motility than 5 mg/kg atropine (P < 0.05) and significantly (P < 0.05) protected rats against castor oil- induced diarrhoea. The frequency of defaecation as well as the wetness of faecal droppings was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. The oral LD50 of the extract was found to be greater than 5000mg/kg in mice. The result obtained shows that the ethanol leaf extract of V. hastata may contain some biologically active principles that are active against diarrhoea and this may be the basis for management of gastrointestinal disorders.

 

Key words: Verbena hastate, anti-diarrhoeal, gastrointestinal tract, castor oil.

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