Abstract
Different parts of Vitellaria paradoxa plant have many applications in ethno-medicine. Some of the uses of this plant include treatment of diarrhoea and other GIT disorders. In this study the antidiarrhoeal activity of the ethanol extract of Vitellaria paradoxa was evaluated using three experimental models: Castor oil-induced diarrhoea; small intestinal motility and intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) models in mice. Five groups of five mice were used for each model. Group one mice received 10 ml/kg of distilled water, while groups 2, 3, and 4 received 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of the extract orally respectively. Group 5 mice received Loperamide 5 mg/kg orally. Oral median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was determined using OECD (2008) Guideline 425. Phytochemical studies were conducted using standard procedures. The LD50 was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight and there were no signs of mortality or visible signs of toxicity in all the mice treated. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, triterpenes, steroids, cardiac glycosides and anthraquinones glycosides. Extract showed a dose-dependent anti-diarrhoeal activity by reducing stool frequency and consistency. The extract at the higher doses significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited GIT motility and castor oil-induced enteropooling, comparable to that of the reference control drug Loperamide. The study showed that ethanol stem bark extract of Vitellaria paradoxa possess anti-diarrhoeal activity and thus justifies its ethno-medicinal use in the treatment of diarrhoea.
Highlights
Diarrhoea, the passage of liquid faeces, is a major problem in children under five years of age in developing countries
Examples of herbal medicines used in treatment of diarrhoea include: Acacia niloca, Acanthospermum hispidum, Parkia biglobosa, Vitex doniana, Gmelina arborea (Agunu et al, 2005); Zehneria scabra, Calpurnia aurea, Coffea arabica, Cordi aafricana and Indigofera spicata (Woldeab et al, 2018)
Results of phytochemical screening were similar to those obtained by El-Mahmood et al, 2008 and Ndukwe et al, 2007
Summary
The passage of liquid faeces, is a major problem in children under five years of age in developing countries. Diarrhoea is a leading killer of children and it accounts for about 9% of all deaths among children under age of five worldwide (UNICEF, 2016). In developing countries where poverty is wide spread, coupled with poor sanitation and lack of safe drinking water, the incidence of diarrhoea is high among the populace. Accessibility and high cost of modern medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea, have made herbal medicines cheaper and more readily available alternatives in many rural communities. Examples of herbal medicines used in treatment of diarrhoea include: Acacia niloca, Acanthospermum hispidum, Parkia biglobosa, Vitex doniana, Gmelina arborea (Agunu et al, 2005); Zehneria scabra, Calpurnia aurea, Coffea arabica, Cordi aafricana and Indigofera spicata (Woldeab et al, 2018)
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