NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
Journal of the Faculties of Science and Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria
ISSN: 1119-9008
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE
Email: njse@universityjournals.org
ANTIDIARRHOEA AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THE LEAF EX- TRACT OF ACALYPHA MARGINATA SPRENG (EUPHORBIACEAE)
DOI: 10.5987/UJ-NJSE.16.046.1 | Article Number: A3264510 | Vol.12 (1) - May 2013
Authors: Abere T. A. , Duruigbo J. C. and Uti S. I.
Keywords: Acalypha marginata, antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial, phytochemical
The leaves of Acalypha marginata are used ethnomedically across Africa without scientific basis. Determination of its phytochemical constituents, antimicrobial activity and evaluation of its ef- fects on the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) will provide supportive scientific evidence in favour of its continuous usage. Chemical and chromatographic tests were employed in phytochemical investi- gations. Inhibitory activity against clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Streptococcus faecalis were compared with Gentamycin. Our report includes minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against the tested organisms. The effect of the methanol extract on the motility of the GIT in mice using the charcoal plug method and castor oil induced diarrhoea in rats was evaluated. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins and saponins. The crude etha- nol extract and fractions inhibited the growth of E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and K. pneumo- nia to varying extents. The degree of transition exhibited by the charcoal meal was dose- dependent and greater than that for Atropine. In the castor oil induced diarrhoea test, all the doses showed anti-spasmodic effects. Methanol extracts of Acalypha marginata have demonstrated an- timicrobial activity against clinical strains of selected microorganisms. The plant showed poten- tial for application in the treatment of diarrhoea, thereby justifying its usage ethnomedically.
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