In vivo and In vitro spasmolytic Effect of Ficus sur Forssk Ethanol Leaf Extract on the Gastrointestinal Tract

Aim: Sequel to the report that Ficus sur ethanol leaves extract (FELE) has anti-diarrheal property and has been used in some parts of Nigeria for the treatment of the disease, this work examined the effect of Ficus sur ethanol leaves extract (FELE) on gastrointestinal motility.

Experimental Design: In vivo and in vitro Animal experiments were employed on whole rats and isolated intestinal tissues.

Methods: In the in vivo work, 25 adult rats were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 was given 0.2ml normal saline and served as control. Group 2 received Atropine (0.1mg/kg), while groups 3, 4 and 5 were treated with 150, 300 and 500mg/kg of FELE respectively. Thirty minutes later, 0.2ml of charcoal meal was administered to all the rats used. The rats were sacrificed in another 30 minutes time. Each animal was opened to measure the distance travelled by the charcoal meal against the whole length of the small intestine. For the in vitro study, isolated guinea pig ileum and rabbit jejunum were used to study the effects of FELE on the gastrointestinal tract.

Results: In the in vivo studies, FELE exhibited a significant (P<0.05) dose dependent reduction in gastrointestinal tract motility as 150, 300 and 500mg/kg inhibited intestinal motility in treated rats by 58.36, 62.06 and 63.35% respectively and compared favorably with Atropine which inhibited same by 53 30%. On the isolated tissues, FELE exhibited relaxation effects and also significantly (P<0.05) blocked Acetylcholine induced intestinal contractions.

Conclusion: The relaxation effect of FELE on the gastrointestinal tract suggests that the extract contain principles with anticholinergic property and could be valuable in the management of diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems associated with hyper parasympathetic innervation. The results therefore agree with traditional claim that Ficus sur leaves extract has antidiarrheal property.