Ameliorative Effects of Ethyl acetate Fraction of Millettia aboensis Stem Bark on Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Rats doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v4i8.21

Abstract

Millettia aboensisis is one of the plants that have been used for the treatment of different diseases such as gastrointestinal disturbances, ulcer and venereal diseases in Nigeria folklore medicine. This study evaluated the phytochemistry and effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of Millettia aboensis stem bark on loperamide-induced constipation in rats. The stem bark of Millettia aboensis was first extracted with methanol and further partitioned using aqueous methanol (20%), ethyl acetate and n-hexane. The ethyl acetate fraction was then used for the study. The experimental rats employed for this study were randomly divided into six groups of four rats each. Group 1 (normal control) received distilled water; Group 2 (positive control) received 3 mg/kg b.w. Loperamide, while group 3 received 5 mL/kg b.w. bisacodyl. Groups 4-6 received the graded doses of the fraction (100, 300, and 600 mg/kg b.w). After 7 days of
standard drug and Millettia aboensis fraction administration, groups 2 to 6 received 3 mg/kg b.w. loperamide. The result of the phytochemical screening of the ethyl acetate fraction of Millettia aboensis stem bark revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides and tannins.The results of water intake; number of faecal pellets output and faecal weight showed significant increase (p < 0.05), while the body weight of the rats decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with the control groups. The results of the study showed that Millettia aboensis ethyl acetate fraction exerted a mild laxative effect against loperamideinduced constipation in rats.