ACUTE TOXICITY AND DECREASED PERISTALSIS IN MICE CAUSED BY TAXODIUM MUCRONATUM AND ACACIA FARNESIANA EXTRACTS

ABSTRACT Diarrheal diseases remain a health problem in Mexico and the world. Taxodium mucronatun Ten. (Taxodiaceae) (Ahuehuete, Sabino) and Acacia farnesiana (L.) Will. (Leguminosae) (Huizache) are popularly used in the treatment of diarrhea. The aim of this work was to determine, in vivo, the lethal media doses and effect on intestinal propulsion of aqueous and ethanol extracts from leaves and small stems in mice. The lethal media doses were estimated using the Lorke method, modified by the Reed-Müench approach, and probit units; the results indicated a weak acute toxicity level. The effects on intestinal propulsion were tested using the charcoal meal method and we found that the extracts inhibited the movement of the gastrointestinal content. The data explain in part the medicinal use of T. mucronatum and A. farnesiana, and support their use as antidiarrheal agents. www.relaquim.co