Ameliorative Effects of Ethyl acetate Fraction of Millettia aboensis Stem Bark on Loperamide-Induced Constipation in Rats

Abstract

Constipation (dyschezia) is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by infrequent bowel movements, causing the stool to become hard and dry, and leading to difficulties during defecation, as well as a sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation. 1,2 This occurs when the colon absorbs too much fluid than required as a result of the inability to relax the pelvic muscles to allow for a bowel movement (anismus) or the inability of the pelvic muscles to effectively and correctly coordinate relaxation and contraction (dyssynergia). It could also result from disease conditions or life style. 3,4 Apart from difficulties and pains experienced during bowel movement, other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggishness. 2,5 However, medicinal plants are the richest source of medicines to humanity. 1 Prehistoric people, especially Africans relied on the healing properties of medicinal plants before the introduction of orthodox medicines. 6 The therapeutic efficiency of these medicinal plants can justifiably be attributed to the phytochemicals in them such as the flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, terpenoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, lignans, tannins and saponins, etc. 7 Phytochemicals are known to activate, catalyse and initiate some curative reactions in humans. 8-11 It is also believed that the various phytochemicals could work synergistically to exert their therapeutic effect. 7,11-12 Milletiaaboensis is one of the plants that have been reported to