Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory and Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Leaf Aqueous Extracts of Zizyphus Lotus (L) in Albino Wistar Rats.

The present study was carried out to investigate the phytochemical screening, the acute toxicity, in vivo antiinflammatory and anti-diarrheal activities of the Zizyphus lotus (Z lotus) leaf’s aqueous extract. The extract was subjected to phytochemical analysis, acute toxicity study, anti-inflammatory evaluation using carrageenan induced paw edema and the anti-diarrheal activity was assessed by the castor oil induced diarrhea inhibition method in laboratory rats. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids. The extract at the doses used caused a significant (P< 0.05) reduction in the wet feces dumped by the rat with the castor oil-induced diarrhea, and decreased the distance travelled by the charcoal meal. The results showed that the extract of Zizyphus lotus has a significant antidiarrheal and anti-inflammatory activity which supports its use in traditional herbal medicine practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]