Anti-secretory effects of a dichloromethane fraction of the stem bark of <em>Piliostigma reticulatum</em> (Cesalpiniaceae)

Abstract

This study reports the effect of a dichloromethane fraction of the stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum, a plant with anti-diarrhoeal properties, on the concentrations of electrolytes and the weight of water in castor oil-induced diarrhoea model in rats. The concentrations of ions in the supernatant of the small intestine content, obtained after centrifugation of the intraluminal fluid, were measured by flame photometry. The fraction showed a dose-dependent decrease of electrolytes concentration of [Na+], [K+], [Cl-] and [Ca2+], compared to the vehicle control. The ion concentrations were significantly reduced by the fraction at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, in the same range of inhibi-tion obtained in rats treated by loperamide (5mg/kg), used as the reference anti-diarrhoeal drug. Quantity of water in faeces was also significantly reduced by the dichloromethane fraction at 250 and 500 mg/kg, and by loperamide. Results from the study showed that the dichloromethane frac-tion obtained from a crude extract of the stem bark of P. reticulatum possesses anti-secretory activity. These results suggest that the anti-diarrhoeal properties of the plant could partly be mediated by its anti-secretory activity and could therefore justify its use in traditional medicine to treat diarrhoea.