ANTIDIARRHEAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS BARK

Abstract

Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae) is an evergreen and tropical tree native to the Indian subcontinent and South-east Asia. It is a well known medicinal plant and commonly known as ‘Chhatim’ in Bangladesh. Traditionally the bark is used to treat anemia, menstrual disorders, colic, diarrhea, dysentery and acute arthritis. In the present study, the ethanolic extract of bark was investigated for phytochemical properties as well as antidiarrheal and cytotoxic activities. In antidiarrheal activity test (castor oil induced diarrhea), the extract was taken as a dose of 250mg/kg body weight orally in Swiss albino mice and the standard drug loperamide, at a dose of 50mg/kg. The cytotoxic test was performed on brine shrimp (Artemia salina). The ethanolic extract contains alkaloid, reducing sugar, saponin and tannin. It significantly increased mean latent period (1.09 hr) and decreased the frequency of defecation, which were comparable to the standard drug (P<0.01). In case of cytotoxic test, the LC50 & LC90 were found as 22.25 & 95.28µg/ml, respectively. The findings suggest that Alstonia scholaris possesses antidiarrheal and cytotoxic activities.