Antidiarrhoeal and neuropharmacological activities of Avicennia officinalis Linn.

The methanolic extract of the leaves of Avicennia officinalis Linn. was tested for its antidiarrhoeal and neuropharmacological activities The extract showed a significant antidiarrhoeal activity against castor oil induced diarhoea in mice in which it decreased the frequency of defecation and increased mean latent period at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight Moreover, it potentiated the pentobarbital induced sleeping time in mice at the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, and decreased the number of holes crossed from one chamber in the hole cross test and decreased the head dip responses. The overall results tend to suggest the antidiarrhoeal and central nervous system depressant activities of the extract