Abstract | CONTENT: Justicia hypocrateriformis Vahl (Acanthaceae) is used as an herbal remedy for diarrhea in Cameroon folk medicine. OBJECTIVE: 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:
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Authors | Gabriel A Agbor, Frida Longo, Estelle A Makong, Protus Arrey Tarkang |
Journal | Pharmaceutical biology
(Pharm Biol)
Vol. 52
Issue 9
Pg. 1128-33
(Sep 2014)
ISSN: 1744-5116 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 24635417
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antidiarrheals
- Antioxidants
- Free Radical Scavengers
- Plant Extracts
- Castor Oil
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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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