Antidiarrhoeal activity of the methanol stem-bark extract of Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonaceae).

AIM OF THE STUDY To investigate the antidiarrhoeal properties of the stem-bark extract of Annona senegalensis, using both in vivo and in vitro models. MATERIALS AND METHODS Swiss albino mice were used to investigate the acute oral toxicity of the extract. The extract was administered orally to mice fed with charcoal meal in order to investigate intestinal transit time. The effect of the extract on contraction of isolated rabbit jejunum and the responses of the tissue to acetylcholine and histamine were also investigated. RESULTS The extract was safe at doses up to 5000 mg/kg. The extract at the dose of 10mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) decreased intestinal transit time at concentrations of 0.2-3.2 mg/ml, the extract attenuated spontaneous contractions of the isolated rabbit jejunum, and those induced by acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent fashion. CONCLUSION The extract decreased intestinal transit time by attenuating the spontaneous contractions of the intestine, thus the study provided a scientific basis for the use of Annona senegalensis stem bark extract in the treatment of diarrhoea.