Antidiarrhoeal activity of leaf methanolic extract of Rauwolfia serpentina

Objective:To evaluate the antidiarrhoeal property of methanol extract of the leaves of Rauwolfia serpentina(R. serpentina) in experimental diarrhoea induced by castor oil in mice.Methods:Doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kgR. serpentinaleaf methanol extracts were administered to castor oil induced diarrhoea mice to determine its antidiarrhoeal activity.Results:All doses of the extract and the reference drug atropine sulphate(3 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a dose-dependent reduction in intestinal weight and fluid volume. The extracts also significantly reduced the intestinal transit in charcoal meal test when compared to diphenoxylate Hcl(5 mg/kg, p.o.).Conclusions:The results show that the extract of R. serpentin a leaves has a significant antidiarrhoeal activity and supports its traditional uses in herbal medicine.