Pharmacological Evaluation of the Aqueous Extract of the Leaves of Averrhoa Carambola

Abstract

The aim of the study was to screen different chemical groups in aqueous extract of the leaves of Averrhoa carambola and evaluate the pharmacological activities. The plant was reported earlier to contain anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic properties. The present study was conducted in vivo to evaluate the analgesic and anti-diarrheal activity of the aqueous extracts of leaves. Phytochemical screening of the sample indicated the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, and alkaloids. When tested for its analgesic effects on acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, the extract produced significant analgesia at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight and percentage (%) of inhibition was 32.8% and 36.9% respectively which was compared with the standard diclofenac at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight. In the evaluation for its anti-diarrheal effects on castor oil induced defecation in mice, the extract producesantidiarrheal effects at dose 250 mg/kg body weight and percentage (%) of activity was 62.5% compared to the standard immotile at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight. The overall result obtained from the study suggests the analgesic and anti-diarrheal properties of leaves of the plant. ti-diarrhear the standard Entage (%) ofi.