Stachytarpheta urticifolia extract shows anti-diarrheal and anti-ulcer properties in animal study

In this study, researchers at GITAM deemed to be University in India investigated the antidiarrheal and anti-ulcer activities of Stachytarpheta urticifolia, also known as nettleleaf velvetberry. Their results were published in the International Journal of Green Pharmacy.

• Every year, millions of people die in third world countries due to diarrhea and in non-industrial countries due to peptic ulcer.
• S. urticifolia is a plant that grows in the Eastern Ghats in India and is traditionally used to treat various ailments, including diarrhea and ulcer.
• For their experiment, the researchers obtained S. urticifolia extracts and used them to treat two groups of rats, one with castor oil-induced diarrhea and the other with aspirin-induced gastric ulcer.
• Based on acute toxicity test results, treatment with up to 2,000 mg/kg S. urticifolia extract does not cause toxicity.
• The researchers reported that the methanolic leaf extract of S. urticifolia (MESU) showed significant antidiarrheal activity, reducing the frequency of defecation of rats as well as the weight of their feces.
• Meanwhile in rats with aspirin-induced gastric ulcers, they found that MESU treatment reduced gastrointestinal lesions.
• Compared with controls, extensive lesions in rats with ulcers were restricted to glandular portions of their stomachs.
• Oral administration of 100 and 200 mg/kg MESU lowered the ulcer index of the animals.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that S. urticifolia contains active components that can relieve diarrhea and reduce gastric ulcers effectively in experimental rats.

Journal Reference:

Sreelatha R, Mohan CM, Kiran KAP, Prameela K. ANTIDIARRHEAL AND ANTIULCER ACTIVITY OF STACHYTARPHETA URTICIFOLIA SALISB (SIMS) IN WISTAR RATS. International Journal of Green Pharmacy. 2019;13(2). DOI: 10.22377/ijgp.v13i2.2490