In vivo evaluation of antidiarrhoeal and insecticidal potential of Loranthus falcatus Linn. stem extracts

Abstract

Loranthus falcatus Linn. is a parasitic plant which is importantly used in folk medicine. Aim of the study was to assess antidiarrhoeal and insecticidal potential of L. falcatus stem extracts. Castor oil–induced diarrheal model and activated charcoal induced intestinal transit were evaluated in mice for antidiarrhoeal study while Film residue method on Sitophilus oryzae L. was followed for insecticidal study. Among the extracts, chloroform fraction showed the highest antidiarrhoeal effect having protection at 79.67% faecal output, 69.75% fluid accumulation and 69.75% peristaltic index at 200 mg/kg dose. On the other hand, petroleum ether fraction showed the maximum insecticidal effect at 93.33%, 96.66% and 100% mortality at 50, 100 and 200 µg/ml concentration, respectively. These findings may potentiate to unveil specific compounds for development of antidiarrhoeal and insecticidal drugs.