Antidiarrheal Activity of Kigelia africana in Experimental Animals

ABSTRACT

Aqueous leaf extract of Kigelia africana was screened for antidiarrheal activity using experimental animal models. Evidence for antidiarrheal activity was provided by the reduced fecal output and protection from castor oil-induced diarrhea in the extract-treated animals. The extract remarkably decreased the propulsive movement of the gastrointestinal contents. On the isolated guineapig ileum, the extract did not appreciably affect acetylcholine and histamine induced contractions, but significantly reduced nicotine evoked contractions. The i.p. LD₅₀ of the extract in mice was estimated to be 785.65 ± 24 mg/kg.

KEYWORDS:

• Antidiarrheal activity
• motility inhibition
• traditional medicine