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. 2010 Aug 19:10:95.
doi: 10.1186/1471-230X-10-95.

The effect of Aloe ferox Mill. in the treatment of loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats

Olubunmi A Wintola  1 , Taofik O Sunmonu, Anthony J Afolayan
Affiliations

The effect of Aloe ferox Mill. in the treatment of loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats

Olubunmi A Wintola et al. BMC Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Background: Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint all over the world and it is a risk factor of colorectal cancer. In this study, the efficacy of aqueous leaf extract of Aloe ferox Mill. was studied against loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats.

Methods: Constipation was induced by oral administration of loperamide (3 mg/kg body weight) while the control rats received normal saline. The constipated rats were treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/day of the extract for 7 days during which the feeding characteristics, body weight, fecal properties and gastrointestinal transit ratio were monitored.

Results: The extract improved intestinal motility, increased fecal volume and normalized body weight in the constipated rats, which are indications of laxative property of the herb with the 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract showing the best efficacy.

Conclusion: The effect of the extract compares favourably well with senokot, a standard laxative drug. These findings have therefore, lent scientific credence to the folkloric use of the herb as a laxative agent by the people of the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effect of aqueous extract of Aloe ferox on gastrointestinal transit ratio in loperamide-induced constipated rats. Data are means of four determinations ± SD. Bars with different letters from the control are significantly different (P < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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