Evaluation of the antidiarrheal and antioxidant properties of Justicia hypocrateriformis |
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Authors: | Gabriel A Agbor Frida Longo Estelle A Makong Protus Arrey Tarkang |
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Institution: | 1. Centre for the Research on Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies YaoundéCameroun;2. Laboratoire de physiologie animale de l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université de Yaoundé I YaoundéCameroun |
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Abstract: | Content: Justicia hypocrateriformis Vahl (Acanthaceae) is used as an herbal remedy for diarrhea in Cameroon folk medicine.Objective: This study evaluates the antidiarrheal and antioxidant properties of the aqueous extract of J. hypocrateriformis (JH).Materials and methods: Preliminary phytochemical screening and an acute toxicity testing of the extract were carried out. The antidiarrheal activity of JH extract (100, 250, and 500?mg/kg) was assessed at curative and preventive levels in castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. The antioxidant activity was measured by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total phenolic content, and radical scavenging activity.Results: A high lethal dose (LD50) of 14.35?g/kg obtained in acute toxicity implies the extract is not toxic. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinones, and anthocyanins. JH showed a significant protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea as evidenced by a decrease in the number of defecation and wet stool. JH (100–500?mg/kg, p.o.) produced a non-significant dose-dependent decrease in castor oil-induced intestinal transit in the preventive study. In the curative and in healthy mice study, the decrease was only significant at 500?mg/kg. JH possessed a radical scavenging activity with an IC50 of 9.93?mg/ml compared to 4.90?mg/ml for catechin. JH FRAP of 2703.77?±?0?mg/g (catechin equiv) and phenolic concentration of 14?169.99?±?612.39?mg/g (catechin equiv) were also obtained.Conclusion: Justicia hypocrateriformis extract possesses antidiarrheal activity supported by its antioxidant potential and phytochemical constituents. |
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Keywords: | Acute toxicity castor oil ferric reducing antioxidant power intestinal transit phytochemical screening radical scavenging activity total phenolic content |
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