E. Y. Qnais
Department of Biology, Faculty of Art and Science,
F. A. bdulla
Department of Physical Therapy, Allied Health Sciences, Hashemite University, Zarka, Jordan
Y.Y. Abu Ghalyun
Department of Biology, Faculty of Art and Science,
ABSTRACT
The antidiarrheal effects of the aqueous extract of Juniperus phoenicia leaves were studied using several experimental models of diarrhea. Results obtained revealed that the aqueous extract caused a dose dependent protection of rats against castor oil induced diarrhea and reduced castor oil induced enteropooling. The extract also caused a dose dependent decrease in intestinal transient and showed a significant dose dependent relaxant effect (EC50 65.1±8.4 mg mL-1) on rat ileal smooth muscle. The intraperitoneal LD50 value was found to be 1587±143 mg kg-1 in mice. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. These findings suggest that the aqueous extract of Juniperus phoenicia leaves may elicit an antidiarrheal effect at least by reducing intestinal fluid accumulation and inhibiting intestinal motility, thereby justifying its use in ethnomedical practice as an antidiarrheal agent.
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How to cite this article
E. Y. Qnais, F. A. bdulla and Y.Y. Abu Ghalyun, 2005. Antidiarrheal Effects of Juniperus phoenicia L. Leaves Extract
in Rats. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 8: 867-871.
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2005.867.871
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2005.867.871
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2005.867.871
URL: https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=pjbs.2005.867.871
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