Laxative and diuretic effects of Anchomanes difformis (Araceae)

Purpose: Anchomanes difformis (Araceae) is widely used in subsaharan Africa against, constipation, edema, high blood pressure and anuria. The present study is undertaken to investigate laxative and diuretic activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts in normal and constipated rats.Method: Aqueous and ethanolic leaves and rhizome extracts were orally administered in rats at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg. Castor oil (10 ml/kg) and furosemide (10 mg/kg) were used as positive control in laxative and diuretic studies respectively. The laxative and diuretic effects were determined by measuring latency time, frequency and total volume excreted respectively of feces and urine. The physical state of the feces was also examined. Result: Extracts of the rhizome (400 and 800 mg/kg) showed highly significant differences on the latency, the frequency and the total quantities of urine and fecal excretion in normal and constipated rats. At 800 mg/kg these effects (*** p