Antidiarrheal activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Sangkareho (Callicarpa longifolia Lam) from Central Kalimantan

Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of preventable death in developing countries including in Indonesia and Malaysia. It has been reported that the leaves of sangkareho (Callicarpa longifolia Lam) is used traditionally as an antidiarrheal treatment in Central Kalimantan. The present study was aimed to evaluate the pharmacological activity against diarrhea using the ethanolic extract of sangkareho leaves. The extract was used for castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. The extracts were given orally to the mice at 200, 300, 400 mg/kg bodyweight and loperamide was used as a standard drug for diarrhea. The results showed % inhibition of diarrhea with values of no detected, 42.62%, 81.97%, 70.49% at 200, 300, 400 mg/kg bodyweight dose levels of the extract and loperamide, respectively as compared to the negative control. It can be considered at a dose level of 400 mg/kg bodyweight the extract has a greater anti-diarrheal effect than loperamide. In conclusion, ethanolic extract of sangkareho leaves (Callicarpa longifolia Lam) has anti-diarrheal activity and this supports the use of this plant as antidiarrhea in traditional treatment.