Antidiarrhoeal Activity and Total Tannin Content of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Croton Sparsiflorus

The present study was designed to investigate the antidiarrhoeal activity and determination of total tannin content of theethanolic leaf extract of Croton sparsiflorus Lour. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated in castor oil induced diarrhoeamodel in mice and total tannin content was determining by using the Folin-ciocalteu phenol reagent. The ethanolic leaf extractof Croton sparsiflorus (C. sparsiflorus) was shown significant effect on castor oil induced diarrheal method in mice. Theresult showed that extract inhibited the mean number of defecation which were 24.53% and 41.51% (P<0.01 & P<0.001) atthe doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively. The latent period for the extract treated group was increased as comparedto control group. The total tannin content was quite significant and high in ethanolic extract (257.31 mg/g of tannic acidequivalent). Phytochemical screening of the leaf extract indicated the presence of carbohydrate (reducing sugars), alkaloids,steroids, flavonoids, saponin & tannins. Acute toxicity test showed that the plant might be safe for pharmacological uses.Therefore, the obtained results of the present study confirm antidiarrhoeal activity of the leaves of C. sparsiflorus, thusprovide the scientific basis for the traditional uses of this plant as the modality for diarrhea.