Abstract
Background Fruits of Mimusops kummel A. DC. (Sapotaceae) are traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhea. The present study aimed at investigating modes of actions of this fruits for antidiarrheal action to guide future drug development process. Methods Fractions of chloroform, n-butanol, and water were obtained from 80% methanol extract, which was prepared by maceration. Antidiarrheal activities and the modes of actions were investigated in mice. Results In castor oil induced diarrheal model, the extract delayed onset of diarrhea and reduced number and weight of feces at all tested doses significantly. In this model all fractions significantly delayed onset of diarrhea at all tested doses. Charcoal meal test showed that the extract and all the fractions produced a significant antimotility effect at all tested doses. Enteropooling test showed that the extract as well as n-butanol and aqueous fractions at all tested doses produced a significant decline in volume and weight of intestinal contents, whereas chloroform fraction had substantial effect only at high dose. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the extract and solvent fractions produced antidiarrheal activities due to dual inhibitory effect, intestinal motility, and fluid secretion, with the aqueous fraction being the most active among fractions in three models.
Highlights
The main enteric pathogens include a wide range of bacteria, virus, and enteric parasites (e.g., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, and Blastocystis hominis) [2]
Botanical identification and authentication were done by senior botanist (Dr Getachew Addis) at the Traditional and Modern Medicine Research Directorate, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI)
The results of the present study revealed that 80% MeOH-E of M. kummel fruits is endowed with a promising antidiarrheal activity
Summary
In castor oil induced diarrheal model, the extract delayed onset of diarrhea and reduced number and weight of feces at all tested doses significantly. In this model all fractions significantly delayed onset of diarrhea at all tested doses. Enteropooling test showed that the extract as well as n-butanol and aqueous fractions at all tested doses produced a significant decline in volume and weight of intestinal contents, whereas chloroform fraction had substantial effect only at high dose. This study demonstrated that the extract and solvent fractions produced antidiarrheal activities due to dual inhibitory effect, intestinal motility, and fluid secretion, with the aqueous fraction being the most active among fractions in three models. A study in Cambodia showed that 100% of Shigella isolates were resistant to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, which is one of the conventional agents to treat diarrhea [11]
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