Abstract

Objective: To investigate the in vivo antidiarrheal effect of the ethanolic extract of leaves of Malvastrum tricuspidatum in rats, evaluated by castor oil, magnesium sulphate and charcoal. Methods: The extract was evaluated for activity by three different approaches castor oil–induced diarrhea, castor oil and magnesium sulphate-induced enteropooling and gastrointestinal motility test using charcoal meal. Initially assayed at the doses 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg, p.o. Atropine (5 mg/kg p.o.), Loperamide (3 mg/kg) was used as a standard drug. Result: The 500 mg/kg dose of ethanol extract showed significant (p < 0.05) activity against castor oil–induced diarrhea. Hence, this dose level was selected significantly and used in other models. The extract was found to inhibit intrafluid accumulation in castor oil as well as magnesium sulphate induced enteropooling, also a significant reduction in the gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal test confirming its antidiarrheal activity. Conclusion: The result support continued investigation of components of ethnomedicinal use of M. tricuspidatum leaves as a valuable natural remedy for the treatment, management and control of diarrhea.