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

The present study was designed to investigate the a ntidiarrhoeal activity and determination of total t annin content of the ethanolic leaf extract of Croton sparsiflorus Lour . The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated in castor oil induced diarrhoea model in mice and total tannin content was determin ing by using the Folin-ciocalteu phenol reagent. Th e ethanolic leaf extract of Croton sparsiflorus (C. sparsiflorus ) was shown significant effect on castor oil induced diarrheal method in mice. The result showed that extract inhibited the mean numbe r of defecation which were 24.53% and 41.51% (P<0.01 & P<0.001) at the doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg respectively. The latent period for the extract treated group was increased as compared to control group. The total tannin content was quit e significant and high in ethanolic extract (257.31 mg/g of tannic acid equivalent). Phytochemical screening of the leaf ex tract indicated the presence of carbohydrate (reduc ing sugars), alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, saponin & tannins. Acute toxi city test showed that the plant might be safe for p harmacological uses. Therefore, the obtained results of the present stud y confirm antidiarrhoeal activity of the leaves of C. sparsiflorus , thus provide the scientific basis for the traditional us es of this plant as the modality for diarrhea. Key word s: Croton sparsiflorus, antidiarrhoeal, total tannin c ontent, phytochemical screening