Assessment of Analgesic and Antidiarrhoeal Activities of Different Fractions of Crude Extract of Stephania Japonica Stem

The different fractions of crude methanol extract of stem of Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers (Menispermaceae) was screened for its analgesic and antidiarrhoeal activities. The different fractions of crude extract produced significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid induced writhing in mice at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium at the dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight. When tested for its antidiarrhoeal effects on castor oil induced diarrhea in mice, it increased mean latent period and decreased the frequency of defecation significantly at the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight comparable to the standard drug loperamide at the dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight. The overall results suggest the analgesic and antidiarrhoeal activities of the different fractions of crude extract. Among all the fractions Ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed most significant analgesic activity and Petroleum ether soluble fraction showed the most significant antidiarrhoeal activity. INTRODUCTION: The history of medicinal plants in remedy of different diseases is well established. Various species of different family of plant and other sources contribute in the development of present therapeutic processes. Stephania japonica (Thunb.) Miers (Menispermaceae) locally known as Aknodi, Akonadi, Akondi, Fuit pata, etc., is a climbing shrubs distributed in widespread north from Eden, South Coast. also Qld and from India, throughout Asia to southern Pacific etc. Leaves and roots are bitter and astringent; used in fever, diarrhoea, urinary diseases and dyspepsia. Leaves are mounted on abscess and kept for bursting. Leaves are macerated in a glass of water and are taken after mixing with molasses to cure urethritis. Leaves are also given for gastritis in Khagrachari. Root paste is taken for vertigo and dysentery; root mixed with root juice of Flemingia stricta is taken for asthma; root paste is warmed and rubbed in hydrocele. Ethanolic extract of the leaf possesses wide range of good antibacterial and antifungal properties. However, no other biological activity has yet been reported. The objective of the present study was to investigate the analgesic and antidiarrhoeal activity of the different fraction of the crude extracts of stem of Stephania japonica (S. japonica). MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant material collection and extraction: The stem of Stephania japonica was collected from Savar road side in December, 2010. One voucher specimen has been deposited in Bangladesh national Herbarium (DACB accession No. 35492). The plant sample (after cutting into small pieces) was sun dried for several days. The plant materials were then oven dried for 24 hours at considerably low temperature for better grinding. The dried plant material was then ground in coarse powder using high capacity grinding machine in the PhytoCorrespondence to Author: Dr. S.M. Abdur Rahman Professor, Department of Clinical Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh E-mail: [email protected]