Antigiardial activity of the hexane extract of Maytenus gonoclada mart.

Abstract

Plants of the Maytenus genus have been used in folk medicine in Brazil for treatment of gastrointestinal motility disturbances such as diarrhea. The present study was performed to evaluate antigiardial activity of the hexane extract and triterpenes isolated from the branches of Maytenus gonoclada Mart. (Celastraceae). The hexane extract and triterpenes were examined for antigiardial activity using the colorimetric method against Giardia lamblia (ATCC 30888). The hexane extract exhibited antigiardial activity. This result may partly explain and support the use of plants of the Maytenus genus for the treatment of diarrhea in folk medicine in Brazil.