Anti-Diarrhoeal Properties of Stem Bark of Cassia Abbreviataagainst Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhoea in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Objectives: The main objective of the study was to explore the in-vivo anti-diarrheal properties of Methanol, Ethanol, Hot and Coldwater fractions of Cassia abbreviata (Fabaceae) stem bark in mice model in order to validate its traditional use.
 Study Design: This study was an experimental based study, where we used 30 Swiss albino mice and these were divided into five groups of six mice.
 Methods: The test groups (group three, four and five) received various doses of the crude extracts (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) respectively, whereas the positive control (group two) received Loperamide (5mg/kg) as standard reference drug and negative control (group one) received distilled water (10ml/kg). The antidiarrheal activity of the four extracts from stem bark of Cassia abbreviata were evaluated in a castor oil-induced diarrhea model in mice and compared with Loperamide. Whereas the effect of methanol extract on gastrointestinal motility was also determined by the oral administration of charcoal meal. Data was analyzed using STATA version 13, presented as means and standard deviation, ANOVA, Bonferroni post hoc and Pearson tests were done.
 Results: The severity of diarrhea was reduced significantly (p<0.001) by the four extracts (400mg/kg doses) where Methanol, Ethanol, Hot and Coldwater extracts had 64.5%, 62.4%, 60.9% and 59.7% respectively, whereas the standard drug Loperamide had 67.7% diarrhea inhibition. This was evidenced by reduction in frequency of diarrheal episodes and stool outputs when compared to the control group. The intestinal peristalsis was significantly (p<0.001) reduced by methanol extract (53.3%) at 400mg/kg when compared to Loperamide (65.5%). 
 Conclusion: It was concluded that all the four extracts from the stem bark of Cassia abbreviata scientifically displayed anti-diarrheal properties, which require further scientific studies leading to identification of the actual compounds.