ANTIDIARRHEAL POTENTIALS OF SCHWENCKIA AMERICANA L. (SOLANACEAE): A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE AERIAL PART AND ROOT EXTRACTS

Objective: Schwenckia americana L. (Solanaceae) is employed as a decoction of either the leaves, roots or the whole plant in the treatment of diarrhoea in most West African countries. Using a comparative study approach, the antidiarrheal potentials of its aerial part and root extracts were evaluated to substantiate its local use in diarrhoea management.Methods: In vivo effects of the extracts on rodent models of diarrhea, enteropooling and gastric motility induced by castor oil were investigated as well as their effects on acetylcholine and histamine-induced guinea pig ileal contractions in vitro. Phytochemical analyses of both extracts were also carried out for tentative identification of constituents and quantitative estimation of total saponin and phenolic contents using standard methods.Results: S. americana L. gave a significant (P