Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Antidiarrheal Properties of Manniophyton fulvum.

Abstract

The genus Manniophytum Fulvum belongs to the family of Euphorbiaceae, which is geographically distributed widely in tropical Africa. It has been investigated for a number of properties, such as analgesia, anti-inflammation and as remedy for cough, dysentery, haemorrhoids and haemoptysis. Aims: This study investigates the phytochemical composition and antidiarrheal properties of the plant. Methodology: Aqueous and ethanol leaves extracts of Manniophyton fulvum was prepared and used for the experiment. During the entire period of study the animals were supplied with standard pellet diet and water ad libitum. The animal experimentation was carried out accordance to the guidelines of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC). Results: Phytochemical studies carried out on aqueous and ethanol extract of Manniophyton fulvum leaves showed the presence of alkaloid, saponin, phenol, tannin, flavonoid, cardiac glycoside, steroid, phytosterol, triterpenoid and phlobatannin. The aqueous and ethanol leaves extracts of Manniophyton fulvum showed significant (p<0.05) antidiarrheal activity on gastrointestinal motility with barium sulfate milk and castor oil-induced diarrheal model in rats. Conclusion: These result obtained in this study, suggest that the leaves extract possess pharmacological activity against diarrhea and may find a place in the management of illness that present with diarrheal.