Evaluation of Laxative Activity of Oxystelma esculentum

Abstract:

Oxystelma esculentum is a perennial twiner growing near water-logged areas in the Indian subcontinent. It is used traditionally as a laxative. The present work deals with the investigation of laxative potential of various extracts of O. esculentum. The plant was successively extracted with solvents of varying polarities, which served as the test extracts. Laxative effect was checked in Wistar rats using different models. The petroleum ether extract was found to possess the most effective laxative activity, thereby supporting the traditional claim of the plant as a laxative. Phytochemical screening of this extract revealed the presence of important classes of compounds like cardenolides, flavonoids, phenolics, sterols and triterpenoids. This bioactivity-guided phytochemical screening can guide further therapeutic investigations and isolation of therapeutically important compounds from Oxystelma esculentum.

Key words: Laxative, Oxystelma esculentum, Oxystelma secamone, Periploca esculenta