THE EFFECT OF METHANOL RHIZOME EXTRACT OF Nymphaea lotus LINN. (NYMPHAEACEAE) IN ANIMAL MODELS OF DIARRHOEA

THE EFFECT OF METHANOL RHIZOME EXTRACT OF Nymphaea lotus LINN. (NYMPHAEACEAE) IN ANIMAL MODELS OF DIARRHOEA

Abstract:

Nymphaea lotus is one of the foremost aquatic macrophytes that have been identified in Nigerian fresh water bodies. It finds applications in the management of circulatory system disorders, digestive system disorders, infectionsand inflammations. This study aims to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal activity of the methanol rhizome extract of N. lotus Linn plant in laboratory animals. Shade-dried rhizome of N. lotus was extracted with 80% methanol using Soxhlet apparatus. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out.This revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and triterpenes. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) was determined andacute toxicity test of the extract gave LD50 value greater than 5,000mg/kg p.o. in mice. The antidiarrhoeal activityof the methanol extract was determined in mice. The extract was screened for activity against castor oil-induced diarrhoea and magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoea as well as effect on gastric transit time in mice. For castor oil-induced diarrhoea, the extract at doses of 200, 400 and 800mg/kg produced statistical significant reduction in the frequency of diarrhoea (at p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively). The extract at 800 mg/kg produced a significant delay in onset of diarrhoea (p<0.05) comparable to loperamide (3mg/kg). The frequency of magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhoeawas also significantly reduced in the groups treated with 200, 400 and 800mg/kg of the extract at p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively. At doses of 200mg/kg (76.5%) and 400mg/kg (72.6%), the protection produced comparable to loperamide, 3mg/kg (70.6%).All treated groups produced statistically significant reduction in the transit of charcoal meal along the intestinal tract at p<0.001. The standard antidiarrhoeal drug, atropine (5mg/kg) produced greater antimotility effect (56.83%)

THE EFFECT OF METHANOL RHIZOME EXTRACT OF Nymphaea lotus LINN. (NYMPHAEACEAE) IN ANIMAL MODELS OF DIARRHOEA

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