African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (11), pp. 1062-1066, 2 June 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activity of the stem bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis (mimosaceae)

KOUITCHEU MABEKU Laure B.^1*, PENLAP BENG V.², KOUAM J.³, NGADJUI Bonaventure T.³, FOMUM Z. T.³, ETOA F. X.¹ 

¹Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, P. O. Box 812, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.

²Toxicology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, P. O. Box 812, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.

³Phytochemistry Laboratory, Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Science, P. O. Box 812, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.

*Corresponding authors E-mail: mabeku@justice.com

Accepted 28 March, 2006

The ethyl acetate (EA) extract of the stem bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis (CG) (Mimosaceae) was analysed for its anti-diarrhoeal activity. Like loperamide (3 mg/Kg body weight), a single oral dose of C. gabunensis ethyl acetate extract (CG-EA) (375, 750 mg/Kg body weight) produced a significant decrease in the severity of diarrhoea. To understand the mechanism of its anti-diarrhoeal activity, its effect was further evaluated on intestinal transit, castor oil induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) and electrolyte concentration in the small intestinal fluid. CG-EA produced a decrease in intestinal transit (10.26-30.75%), and unlike atropine, it significantly inhibited castor oil induced enteropooling. However, it did not alter the electrolyte concentration in intestinal fluid as compared to castor oil-treated rats.

Key words: Cylicodiscus gabunensis, antidiarrhoeal activity, castor oil.