ANTINOCICEPTIVE AND ANTIDIARRHEAL PROPERTIES OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MANILKARA ZAPOTA (LINN.) BARK

Aim of the study: The present study was designed to investigate the analgesic and antidiarrhoeal activities of the ethanolic extract from the bark of Manilkara zapota (Linn.).

Material and methods: The analgesic activity was evaluated in acetic acid induced writhing model and the antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated in castor oil induced diarrhoea model in white albino mice (Swiss-webstar strain).

Resuts: Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of the bark of M. zapota indicates the presence of reducing sugar, tannins, steroid, saponins & gum of compounds. The ethanolic extract of M. zapota has effect on acetic acid induced writhing in mice. At the dose of 250 mg/kg & 500 mg/kg of body weight, the extract produced 38.55% & 56.42 %writhing inhibition in test animals respectively. The results are statistically significant (P <0.001) and is comparable to the standard drug Diclofenac Na, which showed 72.07% at a dose of 25 mg/kg weight. The extract has also effect on castor oil induced diarrheal method in mice. The result show that extract inhibited the mean number of defecation which were 29.31% (P<0.01) and 41.37% (P<0.001) at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively. The latent period for the extract treated group (p<0.001 & P<0.01) increase respectively as compared to control group.

Conclusion: The present study tends to suggest the antinociceptive and antidiarrheal activities of the crude ethanolic extract of the bark of M. zapota and justify its use in folkloric remedies.