Antisecretory activity of metanol and chloroform extracts from aerial parts and flowers of Phytolacca icosandra

The aerial parts of Phytolacca icosandra L., (Phytolaccaceae), have been traditionally used as folk medicine in Mexico to treat diarrhoea and to lose weight. The aim of the study was assess the antisecretory activity of P. icosandra using inhibition of intestinal secretion caused by castor oil model in rats. The air-dried leaves and flowers were ground and extracted by maceration at room temperature with methanol and chloroform (500 mL × two times). After filtration the solvent was evaporated in vacuum to yield crude extract. The antisecretory effect was studied on intestinal secretion indirectly by measuring the fluid accumulation in the intestine following castor oil oral administration in rats (n= 5 per group). Rats were treated by intragastric route with the extracts, (300 mg/kg in 1mL of a Tween 80 1% solution in water) or vehicle (Tween 80 1% solution in water). Loperamide (2.5 mg/kg) was used as antisecretory drug. After one hour, the animals were sacrificed using ethyl ether and the intestinal loops were removed, the antisecretory activity of the extracts were measured as the fluid secretion in the loops and expressed in percent of inhibition. The obtained extracts showed antisecretory activity, chloroform extract of aerial parts with 89.16 %, flowers 58.3 % and methanol extract of flowers showed 75 % and leaves 41.66 % of inhibition of intestinal secretion. The results of the present study lend some support to the anecdotal report for the traditional use of Phytolacca icosandra L. in the control of diarrhea.