Antinociceptive and antidiarrhoeal properties of the ethanolic extract of Brownlowia tersa leaves

The present study was designed to investigate the antinociceptive and antidiarrhoeal activities of ethanolic extract of the leaves of Brownlowia tersa (L.) Kosterm (Family: Tiliaceae). The ethanol extract at graded doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) was investigated for antinociceptive and antidiarrhoeal activity. At the dose of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight, the extract showed a significant antinociceptive activity in acetic acid induced writhing model in mice showing 45.61% and 63.85% writhing inhibition (P<0.001) respectively while the standard drug diclofenac was found to be 76.69% inhibition at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight. The antidiarrhoeal activity of the extract was investigated in term of reduction in the rate of defecation and consistency of faeces in castor oil induced diarrhoea. At the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, the extract showed moderately significant antidiarrhoeal activity showing 50.56% reduction in diarrhoea (P<0.01) comparable to that of standard drug loperamide (68.53%). Phytochemical screening of the leaf extract indicated the presence of carbohydrate (reducing sugars), glycosides, saponins, tannins and flavonoids. Therefore, the obtained results tend to suggest the antinociceptive and antidiarrhoeal activities of the crude ethanolic extract of the leaves of Brownlowia tersa, thus provide the scientific basis for the traditional uses of this plant as a pain killer and modality for diarrhea.