Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activity of the stem bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis (mimosaceae)

The ethyl acetate (EA) extract of the stem bark of Cylicodiscus gabunensis (CG) (Mimosaceae) was analysed for its anti-diarrhoeal activity. Like loperamide (3 mg/Kg body weight), a single oral dose of C. gabunensis ethyl acetate extract (CG-EA) (375, 750 mg/Kg body weight) produced a significant decrease in the severity of diarrhoea. To understand the mechanism of its anti-diarrhoeal activity, its effect was further evaluated on intestinal transit, castor oil induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) and electrolyte concentration in the small intestinal fluid. CG-EA produced a decrease in intestinal transit (10.26-30.75%), and unlike atropine, it significantly inhibited castor oil induced enteropooling. However, it did not alter the electrolyte concentration in intestinal fluid as compared to castor oil-treated rats.