Antidiarrhoeal and spasmolytic activities of the methanolic crude extract of Alstonia scholaris L. are mediated through calcium channel blockade.

This study was aimed to provide a pharmacological basis to the medicinal use of Alstonia scholaris as an antidiarrhoeal and antispasmodic by using in vivo and in vitro techniques. In the in vivo study the crude extract of Alstonia scholaris (As.Cr), which tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, provided 31-84% protection against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice at 100-1000 mg/kg doses, similar to loperamide.