Phytochemical analysis and anti-diarrhoea potential of ethanol leaves extract of Nypa frutican in albino rats

Abstract

Diarrhoea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children under the age of 5 years. Health Organization has encouraged studies that will bring about the desired treatment and prevention of diarrhoea. Nypa frutican commonly known as Nipa palm or Mangrove palm is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments and the leaves are locally used for making roofing mats, hats and brooms. This study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents using Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector and anti-diarrhoea potential of ethanol leaves extract of Nypa frutican in albino rats. Fecal count, measurement of gastrointestinal charcoal meal distance and intestinal fluid electrolyte concentrations procedures were used. The quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, oxalate, saponin, steroids, cardiac glycoside and tannin (35.53, 30.55, 16.88, 10.31, 9.79, 8.71, 4.86 and 1.95) µg/ml respectively. Extract of the leaves of Nypa frutican (200, 300 and 400) mg/kg in comparison with 5 mg/kg standard drug (loperamide hydrochloride), inhibited the production of diarrhoea stool, degree of gastrointestinal motility, and inhibited the concentration of intestinal fluid electrolyte (Na + , K + , Cland HCO3 -). The result obtained showed that ethanol leaf extract of Nypa frutican may contain some pharmacologically active substance with anti-diarrhoea potentials due its phytochemical components.