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Evaluation of the antidiarrheal and antioxidant properties of Justicia hypocrateriformis.

AbstractCONTENT:
Justicia hypocrateriformis Vahl (Acanthaceae) is used as an herbal remedy for diarrhea in Cameroon folk medicine.
OBJECTIVE:
This study evaluates the antidiarrheal and antioxidant properties of the aqueous extract of J. hypocrateriformis (JH).
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Preliminary phytochemical screening and an acute toxicity testing of the extract were carried out. The antidiarrheal activity of JH extract (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) was assessed at curative and preventive levels in castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. The antioxidant activity was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content, and radical scavenging activity.
RESULTS:
A high lethal dose (LD50) of 14.35 g/kg obtained in acute toxicity implies the extract is not toxic. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, and anthocyanins. JH showed a significant protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea as evidenced by a decrease in the number of defecation and wet stool. JH (100-500 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a non-significant dose-dependent decrease in castor oil-induced intestinal transit in the preventive study. In the curative and in healthy mice study, the decrease was only significant at 500 mg/kg. JH possessed a radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 9.93 mg/ml compared to 4.90 mg/ml for catechin. JH FRAP of 2703.77 ± 0 mg/g (catechin equiv) and phenolic concentration of 14 169.99 ± 612.39 mg/g (catechin equiv) were also obtained.
CONCLUSION:
Justicia hypocrateriformis extract possesses antidiarrheal activity supported by its antioxidant potential and phytochemical constituents.
AuthorsGabriel A Agbor, Frida Longo, Estelle A Makong, Protus Arrey Tarkang
JournalPharmaceutical biology (Pharm Biol) Vol. 52 Issue 9 Pg. 1128-33 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1744-5116 [Electronic] England
PMID24635417 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
Chemical References
  • Antidiarrheals
  • Antioxidants
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Plant Extracts
  • Castor Oil
Topics
  • Acanthaceae (chemistry)
  • Animals
  • Antidiarrheals (administration & dosage, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
  • Antioxidants (administration & dosage, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
  • Cameroon
  • Castor Oil (toxicity)
  • Diarrhea (drug therapy)
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Free Radical Scavengers (administration & dosage, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Lethal Dose 50
  • Male
  • Medicine, African Traditional
  • Mice
  • Plant Extracts (administration & dosage, isolation & purification, pharmacology)
  • Toxicity Tests, Acute

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