EVALUATION OF ANTIDIARRHOEAL, ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITIES OF CINNAMOMUM TAMALA LEAVES FROM BANGLADESH

The crude ethanolic extract of the leaves of Cinnamomum tamala (family: Lauraceae) was evaluated for its possible phytochemical nature (group determination of plant constituent) and selected pharmacological activities (Antidiarrhoeal, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic activity) growing in Bangladesh. Phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of the leaves of C. tamala indicated the presence of reducing sugar, glycoside, tannins, steroid, amino acid & alkaloid types of compounds. The ethanolic extract of leaves of C. tamala on Castor oil induced diarrheal method in mice. The result showed that extract inhibited the mean number of defecation which were 24.49 % (P<0.01) and 40.82 % (P<0.001) at the doses of 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively. The latent period for the extract treated group was (p<0.01 & P<0.001) increased as compared to control group. The extract of C. tamala (500 µg/disc) showed moderate anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis(10), Vibrio cologet (Zone of inhibition 11mm), Streptococcus agalactiae (9mm), Shigella sonnei (9 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (9mm), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (11mm), Staphylococcus aureus ( 8 mm). The extract of leaves of C. tamala showed significant (p<0.001) toxicity to the brine shrimp nauplii. The concentrations of crude extract for 50% mortality (LC50) and 90% mortality (LC90) were 32 μg/mL and 74.29 μg/mL respectively. Therefore, the obtained results tend to suggest the antidiarrhoeal, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of C. tamala (Buch.-Ham.) leaves from Bangladesh and justify its use in folkloric remedies.