Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy of aqueous root extract of
Lecaniodiscus cupanioides
Planch.
(Sapindaceae) against loperamide
-
induced constipation in Wistar rats.
Methods:
Constipation was induced by oral administration of loperamide (3 mg/kg body weight). The
constipated rats were orally treated daily either with 50, 150, 250 mg/kg body weight per day of th
e
extract or 0.21 mg
/kg bisacodyl (reference drug) for 7 days while the normal control group received
distilled water. The feeding characteristics, body weight, faecal properties and gastrointestinal tr
ansit
ratio were monitored throughout the study period. The activities of
acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline
phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ
-
glutaryltransferase (GGT) and lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH) were also determined in the serum of the animals.
Results:
There was significant decrease (p < 0.05) between n
ormal and constipated rats in the number
of faecal pellets (54.06 and 45.43) while body weight increased (124.45 and 135.38 g) respectively.
Administration of 250 mg/kg
L. cupanioides extract to the constipated rats significantly normalized
(p <
0.05) their body weight gain (8.15 g) and gastrointestinal ratio (87.75) compared to the constipated
control. Serum levels of ACP and AST were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in the 150 and 250 mg/kg
dose groups compared to controls while ALP witnessed reduction.
However, there was no alteration in
the levels of GGT and LDH across all groups.
Conclusion:
The aqueous root extract of
L. cupanioides possesses laxative activity in loperamide
-
induced constipated rats.
