Abstract
BackgroundConstipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint all over the world and it is a risk factor of colorectal cancer. In this study, the efficacy of aqueous leaf extract of Aloe ferox Mill. was studied against loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats.MethodsConstipation was induced by oral administration of loperamide (3 mg/kg body weight) while the control rats received normal saline. The constipated rats were treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/day of the extract for 7 days during which the feeding characteristics, body weight, fecal properties and gastrointestinal transit ratio were monitored.ResultsThe extract improved intestinal motility, increased fecal volume and normalized body weight in the constipated rats, which are indications of laxative property of the herb with the 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract showing the best efficacy.ConclusionThe effect of the extract compares favourably well with senokot, a standard laxative drug. These findings have therefore, lent scientific credence to the folkloric use of the herb as a laxative agent by the people of the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
Highlights
Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint all over the world and it is a risk factor of colorectal cancer
Statistics have shown that 43% of whites and 76.6% of blacks in South Africa indulge in the use of laxatives, out of which 14.3% and 21.5% respectively use more than one laxative at a time for the treatment of constipation [3]
Drugs and chemicals Loperamide hydrochloride, carmine and carboxymethylcellulose were procured from Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, MO, USA while senokot was a product of Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceutical (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
Summary
Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint all over the world and it is a risk factor of colorectal cancer. In South Africa, 29% of the population, consisting of both black and white suffer from constipation especially in the elderly [3]. Statistics have shown that 43% of whites and 76.6% of blacks in South Africa indulge in the use of laxatives, out of which 14.3% and 21.5% respectively use more than one laxative at a time for the treatment of constipation [3]. The use of these orthodox drugs is limited due to their high cost and undesirable side affects [6]. Majority of the affected persons in South Africa rely on herbal
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