Antidiarrheal effects of hydromethanolic extract of Combretum dolichopetalum leaves in mice

Combretum dolichopetalum Engl and Diels (C. dolichopetalum) belonging to the family Combretaceae is commonly known as “achicha nza” (food of the sun bird) in Igboland and “okoso” in Edo Nigeria[1]. It is a scandent shrub or forest liane of deciduous forest, and usually occurs along banks from Sierra Leone to West Cameroon[2]. The leaves and roots are extensively used in ethnomedical practices of many cultures. In Nigeria, the plant is used in the treatment of burns and gastrointestinal disorders[3]. In Ghana, an infusion of the leaves, roots and stem is used in the management of “garil” (Fula), a condition of “stomach stagger” in cattle[1]. The antiulcer, antihepatotoxic, trypanocidal, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, gastric antisecretory, smooth muscle relaxant and antispasmolytic activities of C. dolichopetalum have been reported by previous workers[1,3-7]. The presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, steroids and terpenoids in C. dolichopetalum has been documented[1]. Our literature search did not yield any reports on the in vivo antidiarrheal activity of C. dolichopetalum, despite its extensive folkloric use for this purpose. The present study aimed at the investigation of the antidiarrheal activity of hydromethanolic extract of C. dolichopetalum leaves.