Background: The stem-bark extract of
Carpolobia lutea
(Polygalaceae), used in ethno-medicine as anti-diarrhea was pharmacologically evaluated.
This was the first report of assessment of the ethanolic stem extract (ESE), of
C. lutea as anti-diarrhoeal agent in rats. The anti-diarrhoeal effects, acute
toxicity and ionic profile are investigated and reported.
Materials and Methods: The acute toxicity was established using Lock’s method. The anti-diarrhoeal effects were demonstrated using castor oilinduced
diarrheal and fluid accumulation and its effect on normal intestinal transit. The mechanism elucidated using yohimbine, isosorbide dinitrate,
and diphenoxylate. The elemental and ionic profile of ESE was established using inductively coupled argon-plasma emission spectrometer and
potentiometric titration respectively. The finger print of ESE was revealed by Jasco (Tokyo, Japan), HPLC and active compounds by phytochemical
screening using standard procedure.
Results: The LD
50 obtained is 866.025 mg/kg (i.p). The doses of 43.3, 86.6, and 173.2 mg/kg of ESE showed inhibition of castor oil–induced
diarrheal (p<0.05 - 0.001). The most abundant cations in the extract are potassium and phosphorus (1.00 ±0.01 and 0.80 ± 0.030 mg/g respectively);
while the most abundant anions are phosphate and sulphate (33.50±7.09 and 7.19±3.29 mg/g respectively). The HPLC fingerprint of ESE revealed UV
spectra of biomolecules. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of saponins, polyphenols and glycosides.
Conclusion: These investigations indicate presence of bioactive and elemental substances which could play major role in diarrheal management. This
investigation justifies the use of stem-bark of
C. lutea in illicit gin (akpatashi), among the Effiks in Nigeria as antidiarrheal.
