ANTIDIARRHOEAL ACTIVITY OF Pterocarpus santalinoides LEAF EXTRACT IN MICE

The antidiarrhoeal activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides was evaluated in mice using different experimental models: castor oil – induced diarrhoea, gastrointestinal motility test and castor oil – induced enteropooling. The extract (200,400 and 800 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the number of wet faeces in the castor oil – induced diarrhoea, as well as inhibited the movement of charcoal meal plug through the gastrointestinal tract. Both actions were dose – dependent and comparable to those of Loperamide, used as the positive control. The extract, however had no effect on the intra luminal fluid content in the castor oil – induced gastric enteropooling. The extract did not demonstrate any acutely toxic effect in mice within the dose range used; hence it was well tolerated by the animals. The results point out the possible antidiarrhoeal effects  of P. santalinoides and substantiate its use as a non – specific treatment for  diarrhoea in folk medicine.