Effect of Aqueous Extracts of Maesopsis eminii on Purgation using Animal Models
S. A. Igwe1*, N. N. Nwobodo¹, R. C. Anakwue² and C. A. Agbata3¹Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, ESUT College of Medicine Parklane, GRA, Enugu Nigeria.
²Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.
³Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka Nigeria.
Abstract: Masopsis eminii is a perenial plant belonging to the family Rhamnaceae, widely distributed and found in old farms, forests and older deciduous forests. It is used mainly in traditional medicine as diuretic and emetic. The purgative effects of Masopsis eminii on animal was studied and compared with standard drug, senna. Results showed that the aqueous extracts of Masopsis eminii contained anthraquinone, emodin alkaloids, etc; reduced intestinal transit time by increasing propulsive colonic movement in a manner similar to senna. Furthermore, Masopsis eminii induced contraction of guinea pig ileum which was antagonised nonspecifically by atropine, mepyramine and methysergide. It is concluded that the purgative effect of Masopsis eminii is produced by lubricating the intestinal walls, softening the bowel contents by increasing the amount of water in the intestine, wetting the stool or softening the stool as observed by increased number of wet faeces in rats. These are attribuable to the presence of anthraquinone.
Keywords: Masopsis eminii; purgative lubricating; colonic movement Back to TOC