Open AccessAntiplasmodial and antidiarrhoeal activities of Dicliptera verticillata leaf extract
Author(s) -
Ettebong Ette,
E. U. Etuk,
Ubulom Peace,
Ekpenyong Chris,
JudeE Okokon,
Chinweizu Ejikeme Udobi,
Nnadi Eucharia,
Akpan Idorenyin,
Akpan Sifonobong,
Malachy Nsikan,
Attah Susannah
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the journal of phytopharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2320-480X
DOI - 10.31254/phyto.2015.4203
Subject(s) - antidiarrhoeal , castor oil , loperamide , traditional medicine , dose dependence , pharmacology , medicine , phytochemical , diarrhea , chemistry , biochemistry
Dicliptera verticillata (Forssk) Ch. (Acanthaceae) (leaf) is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of malaria and diarrhoea in Burkina Faso and among the Ibibios of southern Nigeria. This study was aimed at evaluating the antiplasmodial activities of the ethanol leaf extract of Dicliptera verticillata in Plasmodium berghei infected mice and antidiarrhoeal activity in rats. Suppressive, repository and curative tests were used in determining the antiplasmodial activities in mice following oral administration of the extract (290, 580 and 870 mg/kg). Chloroquine (5 mg/kg) and Pyrimethamine (1.2 mg/kg) were used as standard drugs. The antidiarrhoeal activity of the extract (290, 580, and 870 mg/kg) was evaluated using castor oil-induced diarrhea, fluid accumulation and intestinal transit models. Loperamide (3 mg/kg) and atropine (3 mg/kg) were used as positive controls. The extract showed a dose dependent antiplasmodial activity in the suppressive, repository and curative tests. The mean survival time of the groups treated with extract increased in a dose dependent fashion from 14.33 to 19.33 days compared to control. These results were statically significant (p<0.001) compared to the control. Also, there was a dose-dependent reduction in castor oil–induced diarrhoea and this reduction was significant (P<0.001). A significant (P<0.05 – 0.01) and dose-dependent decrease in intestinal transit and castor oil–induced fluid accumulation was observed. The antiplasmodial and antidiarrhoeal activities of the extract may be due to the presence of alkaloids, saponnins, tannins and flavonoids in the extract. The results of this study confirm the ethnobotanical use of this plant as a malarial and diarrhoeal remedy.