Laxative activity of Ethanolic extract of Capparis moonii W. fruit.

Abstract

The growing value as potential preventive interventions of biologically active medicinal plants and their constituents has been a topic of intense research. Plant and plant derivatives have long been a source of medication in human culture. According to world health organizations, 80% of the population of developing countries relies for their primary health treatment on conventional medicines. In the future, safe and effective drugs are likely to be manufactured from medicinal plants to heal multiple degenerative diseases. Constipation has been identified as one of the daily health issues which has recently been increased due to increased intake of processed foods or foods deficient in natural dietary fibres. The present research was carried out to evaluate the laxative effects of ethanolic extract of Capparis moonii wight fruit was safe for administration in mice at the highest dose (2000mg/kg) tested. The Capparis moonii wight’s laxative activity was studied in mice. The result showed that an oral administration of Capparis moonii wight fruit extract produced a significant and dose-dependent increase in stool count in mice, as well as a dosedependent effect through distance traveled by charcoal meal. These effects were comparable with dulcoflex (bisacodyl) (standard drug) at dose of 5mg/kg. From the result it can be concluded that oral administration of Capparis moonii wight ethanolic extract indicates significant laxative activity in mice It can be reported that flavonoid, saponin, glycoside present in the extract may be responsible for an laxative effect and Thus the plant extract can explain the usefulness of Capparis moonii in constipation.