BackgroundMareya micrantha (Benth.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a shrub that is commonly used in Côte d'Ivoire (West Africa) for the treatment of constipation and as an ocytocic drug. The present study was carried out to investigate the laxative activity of Mareya micrantha in albino's Wistar rats.MethodsRats were divided in 5 groups of 5 animals each, first group as control, second group served as standard (sodium picosulfate) while group 3, 4 and 5 were treated with leaf aqueous extract of Mareya micrantha at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), per os respectively. The laxative activity was determined based on the weight of the faeces matter. The effects of the leaves aqueous extract of Mareya micrantha and castor oil were also evaluated on intestinal transit, intestinal fluid accumulation and ions secretion.ResultsPhytochemicals screening of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, sterols and polyterpenes. The aqueous extract of Mareya micrantha applied orally (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; p.o.), produced significant laxative activity and reduced loperamide induced constipation in dose dependant manner. The effect of the extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg (p.o.) was similar to that of reference drug sodium picosulfate (5 mg/kg, p.o). The same doses of the extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a significant increase (p < 0.01) of intestinal transit in comparison with castor oil (2 mL) (p < 0.01). Moreover, the extract induced a significant enteropooling and excretion of Cl-, Na+, K+ and Ca2+ in the intestinal fluid (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThe results showed that the aqueous extract of Mareya micrantha has a significant laxative activity and supports its traditional use in herbal medicine.

Purpose:The objective of the study was to investigate the ethyl acetate extract of Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh (Rubiaceae) (MM-EA) properties against experimental diarrheoa induced by castor oil in albino Wistar rats. Methods: The ethyl acetate extract of Morinda morindoides (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally to three groups of rats (five animals per group) in order to evaluate the activity of the extract against castor oil-induced diarrhea model in rat. Two other groups received normal saline (5mg/kg) and loperamide (5mg/kg) as positive control. The effect of the extract on intestinal transit and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) was assessed. Results: At oral doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg body weight, the plant extract showed pronounced and dose-dependent antidiarrheal activity. The protective role of the extract at 1000 mg/kg was comparable to that of the reference drug, loperamide (5mg/kg). The extract (1000 mg/kg) produced a decrease in intestinal transit comparable to atropine (5mg/kg), and significantly (p<0.01) inhibited castor oil-induced enteropooling. No mortality and visible signs of general weakness were observed in the rats following the extract administration of up to a dose of 6000 mg/kg. Conclusion:The results showed that the extract of M. morindoides has a significant antidiarrheal activity which supports its use in traditional herbal medicine practice.

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Morinda morindoides est une plante qui est citée de façon récurrente dans plusieurs prescriptions thérapeu-tiques. Afin de mieux connaître cette plante et de pouvoir l'identifier sur le terrain, nous avons, dans cette étude, fait sa description botanique suivie d'une exploration de son activité antifongique. Il ressort de cette étude que Morinda morindoides (Rubiaceae) est une espèce guinéo-congolaise qui se retrouve dans les lisières des forêts. C'est une liane grimpante avec des feuilles opposées et possé-dant des fruits bosselés. Cette plante possède une activité antifongique in vitro sur Cryptococcus neoformans. Parmi les extraits testés, la fraction (F ) (CMF = , mg/ml ; CI = , ± , mg/ml) est la plus active. Mots clés : Activité antifongique -Cryptococcus neoformansExtraits végétaux -Morinda morindoides Botanical survey and in vitro exploration of antifungical activity of Morinda morindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh. on the growth of Cryptococcus neoformansAbstract: Morinda morindoides is a plant that is mentioned in a recurrent way in several therapeutic prescriptions. In order to know this plant and be able to identify it on the land, we have, in this study, made its botanical description followed of an exploration of its antifungal activity. It is evident from this study that Morinda morindoides (Rubiaceae) is a guineo-congolese species that meets in the borders of the forests. It is a trailing liana with opposite leaves and propertied of the bumpy fruits that yellow to maturity. This plant possesses an in vitro antifungal activity on Cryptococcus neoformans. Among the tested extracts, the fraction (F ) [MFC = . mg/ml; IC = . ± . mg/ml] is the most active.