Castor Oil-induced Diarrhea Research Articles

Phytochemical Screening of Solenostemon monostachyus and the Effect of Extract and Fractions on Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhoea in Rats

Phytochemical Screening of Solenostemon monostachyus and the Effect of Extract and Fractions on Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhoea in Rats

Effects of Essential Oils of Elettaria cardamomum Grown in India and Guatemala on Gram-Negative Bacteria and Gastrointestinal Disorders

The present study examined the chemical composition and antimicrobial and gastrointestinal activity of the essential oils of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton harvested in India (EC-I) and Guatemala (EC-G). Monoterpenes were present in higher concentration in EC-I (83.24%) than in EC-G (73.03%), whereas sesquiterpenes were present in a higher concentration in EC-G (18.35%) than in EC-I (9.27%). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.5 and 0.25 mg/mL were demonstrated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in EC-G and EC-I, respectively, whereas MICs of 1 and 0.5 mg/mL were demonstrated against Escherichia coli in EC-G and EC-I, respectively. The treatment with control had the highest kill-time potential, whereas the treatment with oils had shorter kill-time. EC-I was observed to be more potent in the castor oil-induced diarrhea model than EC-G. At 100 and 200 mg/kg, P.O., EC-I exhibited 40% and 80% protection, respectively, and EC-G exhibited 20% and 60% protection, respectively, in mice, whereas loperamide (10 mg/kg, i.p., positive control) exhibited 100% protection. In the in vitro experiments, EC-I inhibited both carbachol (CCh, 1 µM) and high K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions at significantly lower concentrations than EC-G. Thus, EC-I significantly inhibited P. aeruginosa and E. coli and exhibited more potent antidiarrheal and antispasmodic effects than EC-G.

Activity of methanol root extract of Parquetina nigrescens (Afzel.) Bullock on castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice

This study aimed at providing pharmacological rationale for the ethnomedicinal use of Parquetina nigrescens root in the treatment of diarrhoea. The antidiarrhoeal activity of methanol root extract of P. nigrescens(MPN) was determined using castor oil-induced diarrhoea (COD), castor oil-induced enteropooling (COE) and gastrointestinal motility (GIT) tests. In COD, MPN at all doses significantly (p≤0.01) delayed the onset of diarrhoea and significantly (p≤0.05) decreased the number of wet faeces (with percentage inhibition of 52.2; 53.33 and 71.13 at 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) respectively. The frequency of defecation was significantly (p≤0.01) decreased at 50 and 100 mg/kg. In COE, MPN at all doses significantly (p≤0.01) reduced the volume of intestinal content with percentage inhibition of intestinal fluid accumulation of 79.36; 47.62; 68.25 at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively against control. In the GIT test, MPN significantly (p≤0.01) decreased the distance travelled by charcoal with a percentage reduction of peristalsis index of 41.19; 47.26; 43.46 at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively against control. The percentage inhibition of GIT at all doses of MPN was 50.48, 39.00 and 45.62 respectively. MPN possesses antidiarrhoeal activity thus, the credence for its ethnomedicinal use in the treatment of diarrhoea.
 Keywords: Diarrhoea, castor oil, enteropooling, gastrointestinal motility, Parquetina nigrescens

Biological and computational studies provide insights into Caesalphinia digyna Rottler stems

Caesalpinia digyna (Rottl.) (Family: Fabaceae) is an essential medicinal plant for it's conventional uses against a kind of human disorders. This research aims to investigate the antidiarrheal, antibacterial and antifungal properties of the methanol extract of the stems extracts of the C. digyna (MECD). The in vivo antidiarrheal activity of the stem extracts were evaluated by using castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced enteropooling and charcoal induced intestinal transit in mice model. Besides, in vitro antimicrobial potentiality of MECD was investigated by the disc diffusion method. In silico activity of the isolated compounds were performed by Schrödinger-Maestro (Version 11.1) software. In addition, The ADME/T analysis and PASS prediction were implemented by using pass online tools. In the antidiarrheal investigation, the MECD exhibited a notable inhibition rate in all test approaches which were statistically significant (p < 0.05, p < 0.1, p < 0.01). MECD 400 mg/kg showed the maximum antidiarrheal potency in all the test methods. In vitro antimicrobial analysis unveiled that, MECD revealed higher potentiality against almost all pathogens and indicates dose-dependent activity against almost all the bacteria and fungi. In the case of in silico evaluation of anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity, all three isolated compounds met the pre-conditions of Lipinski's five rules for drug discovery. Pass predicted study also employed for all compounds. However, The chemical constituents of the C. digyna can be a potent source of anti-diarrheal, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal medicine and further modification and simulation studies are required to establish the effectiveness of bioactive compounds.

Herbal medicine WangShiBaoChiWan improves gastrointestinal health in mice via modulation of intestinal tight junctions and gut microbiota and inhibition of inflammation

WangShiBoChiWan (WSBCW) is a commonly used Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. However, its preclinical efficacy and the mechanisms of action have not been adequately studied. The goals of this study were to evaluate the effects of WSBCW on gastrointestinal health and modulation of related biomarkers. Female C57BL mice were randomly assigned into one of the experimental groups consisting of the control, drug controls, and WSBCW at 40, 120, and 360 mg/kg BW. Whole gut transit, small intestinal motility, and intestinal barrier permeability were determined. The castor oil-induced diarrhea mouse model was used to determine the effect of WSBCW on the diarrhea type of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). WSBCW increased whole gut transit and intestinal motility, improved intestinal permeability in healthy animals and alleviated diarrhea symptoms in IBS-D mice. WSBCW upregulated intestinal junction proteins, increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium genus, Desulfovibrio genus and inhibited Bacteroides fragillis group in the gut microbiota, increased intestinal villi lengths, and decreased blood levels of inflammatory cytokines. Our study provided preclinical evidence to verify the effectiveness of WSBCW in gastrointestinal health and elucidate mechanistic insights. The results warrant further investigations to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of WSBCW on gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS and IBD.

Aqueous Tuber Extracts of Tylosema fassoglense (Kotschy ex Schweinf.) Torre and Hillc. (Fabaceae). Possess Significant In-Vivo Antidiarrheal Activity and Ex-Vivo Spasmolytic Effect Possibly Mediated by Modulation of Nitrous Oxide System, Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels, and Muscarinic Receptors.

Tylosema fassoglense (TFG) is used as an antidiarrheal traditional medicine in Western Kenya. This study aimed to investigate the antidiarrheal activity of its aqueous extracts in-vivo and the putative mechanism (s) of action ex-vivo using Sprague-Dawley rats and New Zealand white rabbits respectively. The in-vivo antidiarrheal effects of the extract were evaluated in castor oil-induced diarrhea, the castor oil-induced enteropooling, and phenol red gastric motility tests. On the other hand, isolated rabbit’s jejunal segments were used to evaluate the spasmolytic effect of TFG on spontaneous contraction, in acetylcholine-induced contraction, in presence of 80mMK+, calcium chloride-induced contraction as well as in presence of the following antagonists: naloxone, methylene blue, L-NAME, prazosin, and propranolol in the ex-vivo studies. The data were express as Mean ± S.E.M and analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test in cases of significance which was set at p < 0.05. The extract was phytochemically characterized using Liquid chromatography Mass spectroscopy (LC-MS).The extract possessed significant inhibitory effect in the in-vivo experiments. The extract exhibited significant spasmolytic effect on both spontaneous contraction and in jejunal segment pre-contracted acetylcholine as well as in presence of 80mMK+ solution. It also attenuated the spasmogenic effect of various concentration of calcium chloride. The extract’s spasmolytic effect was, however, significantly attenuated in presence of several antagonists (methylene blue and L-NAME) but the adrenergic blockers (prazosin and propranolol) had no significant effect in the ex-vivo studies. LC-MS identified thirty compounds where Proathocyanidin (11.54%), Syringic acid (7.30%), and 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid (6.19%) had the highest percentage abundance. In conclusion, the results obtained in this study partially validate the traditional uses of the tubers of this plant species as an antidiarrheal. These antidiarrheal effects are probably mediated via modulation of nitrous oxide pathway, voltage gated calcium channels, and muscarinic receptors.

Tannins extract from Galla Chinensis can protect mice from infection by Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli O101

BackgroundEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is classically associated with acute secretory diarrhea, which induces 2 million people death in developing countries over a year, predominantly children in the first years of life. Previously, tannins (47.75%) were extracted from Galla Chinensis and prepared as Galla Chinensis oral solution (GOS) which showed significant antidiarrheal activity in a castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. Whether the tannins extract were also effective in treatment of ETEC-induced diarrhea was determined in this study.MethodsMice were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 22). The mice in the normal and untreated groups were given normal saline. Three GOS-treated groups were received different concentrations of GOS (5, 10 and 15%, respectively) at a dose of 10 mL/kg. Mice in the positive control group were fed with loperamide (10 mg/kg). The treatment with GOS started 3 days before infection with ETEC and continued for 4 consecutive days after infection. On day 3, mice were all infected with one dose of LD50 of ETEC, except those in the normal group. Survival of mice was observed daily and recorded throughout the study. On days 4 and 7, samples were collected from 6 mice in each group.ResultsGOS could increase the survival rate up to 75%, while in the untreated group it is 43.75%. The body weights of mice treated with 15% GOS were significantly increased on day 7 in comparison with the untreated group and the normal group. GOS-treatment recovered the small intestine coefficient enhanced by ETEC-infection. The diarrhea index of mice treated with GOS was significantly decreased. GOS increased the levels of IgG and sIgA in the terminal ileum and decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8) in serum. GOS could increase the amount of intestinal probiotics, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. GOS could alleviate colon lesions induced by ETEC-infection. GOS showed higher potency than loperamide.ConclusionsGOS could be a promising drug candidate for treating ETEC infections.

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

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.&#x0D; 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.&#x0D; 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.&#x0D; Results: The severity of diarrhea was reduced significantly (p&lt;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&lt;0.001) reduced by methanol extract (53.3%) at 400mg/kg when compared to Loperamide (65.5%). &#x0D; 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.

Pharmacological Activities of Crinum viviparum: A Laboratory-based Study

ABSTRACT The phytochemical composition of the ethanolic extract of Crinum viviparum was determined and the anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, thrombolytic, and anti-diarrheal activities were investigated by applying disc diffusion, egg albumin (in vitro), clot lysis, and castor oil-induced diarrhea model in mice (in vivo), respectively. The results suggested that the crude ethanolic extract of the plant contained alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids. The extract was anti-bacterial against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica. The plant showed anti-inflammatory and thrombolytic activities in a concentration-dependent manner. C. viviparum extract was anti-diarrheal in Swiss albino mice at 250 and 500 mg kg−1.

Evaluation of In Vivo Antidiarrheal Activity of Solvent Fractions of Hagenia abyssinica (Rosaceae) in Swiss Albino Mice.

Background Ethiopia has several medicinal plants that have been used for their antidiarrheal activity. Hagenia abyssinica is the most commonly used medicinal plant for the management of diarrhea in Ethiopia. Thus, this study's aim is to investigate the antidiarrheal effect of solvent fractions of H. abyssinica. Methods Antidiarrheal activity of extract fractions obtained from different solvents was evaluated by using small intestine transit, enteropooling, and castor oil-induced diarrhea animal models. In all animal models, the solvent fractions treated groups were treated with three different doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg) of the solvent fractions, while the negative control group was treated with a vehicle (distilled water), and positive control group was treated with loperamide. Results The acute toxicity test revealed that the LD50 of H. abyssinica is > 2000 mg/kg. In castor oil-induced, the solvent fractions of H. abyssinica (at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05–0.001) prolonged the stool frequency, reduced the weight of feces, and delayed diarrheal onset time as compared with the negative control group. The fractions produced a significant (P < 0.05) antimotility effect at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg as compared to the negative control. All solvent fractions at the middle and higher doses showed a statistically significant dose-dependent reduction in the volume of intestinal contents and weight of the feces. However, the solvent fractions of H. abyssinica at a dose of 100 mg/kg failed to produce a statistically significant activity in all parameters (number of wet feces, the onset of diarrhea, and number of total feces) when compared with the negative control group. Conclusion The extract fractions obtained from different solvents have shown significant antidiarrheal activity. Thus, this finding supports the claimed traditional use of H. abyssinica leaves for the treatment of diarrhea.

Underlying Mechanisms of Anti-spasmodic, Antidiarrheal, Antioxidant and Acute Toxicity Assessments of Aqueous Extract of Mentha Suaveolens Ehrh and its Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy Analysis

Objective: The aim of this present study is to investigate the antidiarrheal, spasmolytic and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh (AEMS), to study their underlying mechanisms in animal models and to reveal its main functional groups using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR).&#x0D; Methods: Mentha suaveolens Ehrh was studied for antidiarrheal activity on Wistar rats of both sexes at the doses of 200 and 800 mg/kg body weight using castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced enteropooling and small intestinal transit models.&#x0D; The extract was studied for antispasmodic property in isolated rabbit jejunum using various spasmogenic agents including Ach (10-5M), KCl (100 mM) and in the absence and in the presence of L-NAME (10-4 M) and the methylene blue (10-5 M).The antioxidant capacity of AEMS was carried out using DPPH radical scavenging activity and the ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP). Ascorbic acid and Butylated HydroxyToluene (BHT) were used as references. The functional chemical groups were determined by FTIR.&#x0D; Results: The great antidiarrheal potential of AEMS seems to be mediated through calcium antagonism. The marked and concentration-dependent induced spasmolytic effect of AEMS appears to involve Ca2+ voltage channel blockade and the NO/cGMP pathway activation. AEMS possessed strong and concentration-dependent antioxidant potency using DPPH and FRAP. Polyphenols, carboxyl and carbohydrates were found to be the main functional groups in the AEMS analyzed by FTIR.&#x0D; Conclusion: Overall, our current findings provide scientific proves in animal models for the traditional use of AEMS in folk medicine for the prevention or the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in Morocco.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of pharmacological potential of Begonia barbata Wall

BackgroundBegonia barbata Wall is an important medicinal plant in Bangladesh used to treat several human diseases. The intention of the existing work was to determine in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of petroleum-ether, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate soluble fractions of methanol extract of B. barbata whole plant (MEBB). The total phenolic content (TPC) was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu test while antioxidant activity assay was performed by DPPH radical quenching process. Tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing methods were utilized to evaluate analgesic effect in albino mice. To evaluate the hypoglycemic potential, glucose tolerance test is used. Castor oil-induced diarrhea method is utilized to figure out the anti-diarrheal action in mice. Thiopental-sodium-induced sleeping time test was exploited for the appraisal of CNS antidepressant action.ResultsAntioxidant activities of the test materials followed the order: dichloromethane fraction (DCMF) > ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) > petroleum-ether fraction (PEF). The EAF yielded maximum amount of phenolic compounds (12.47 mg of GAE/g of sample). The DMF was most effective in terms of thrombolytic activity while the EAF protected the membrane integrity of erythrocyte by 63.47% inhibition of hemolysis induced by heat. Among all fractions, the PEF (400 mg/kg body weight) demonstrated highest analgesic activity in both tail immersion test (maximum elongations as 262.053%) and acetic acid-induced writhing method (66.02% writhing inhibition). During anti-diarrheal test, the plant samples significantly diminished the frequency of diarrheal episodes in mice. Similarly, the plant samples decreased the sleeping duration induced by thiopental sodium.ConclusionThe above outcome exposed that B. barbata possesses significant pharmacological potential, which validates its use in Bangladesh folk medicinal practices.

Antifungal activity and antidiarrheal activity via antimotility mechanisms of (-)-fenchone in experimental models.

BACKGROUND(-)-Fenchone is a bicyclic monoterpene present in essential oils of plant species, such as Foeniculum vulgare and Peumus boldus, used to treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Pharmacological studies report its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antinociceptive activity.AIMTo investigate antidiarrheal activity related to gastrointestinal motility, intestinal secretion and antimicrobial activity.METHODSA castor oil-induced diarrhea model was used to evaluate antidiarrheal activity. Intestinal transit and gastric emptying protocols were used to assess a possible antimotility effect. Muscarinic receptors, presynaptic α2-adrenergic and tissue adrenergic receptors, KATP channels, nitric oxide were investigated to uncover antimotility mechanisms of action and castor oil-induced enteropooling to elucidate antisecretory mechanisms. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in the minimum inhibitory concentration model, the fractional inhibitory concentration index using the (-)-fenchone association method with standard antifungal agents.RESULTS(-)-Fenchone (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) showed antidiarrheal activity, with a significant decrease in the evacuation index. This activity is possibly related to a percentage of reduced intestinal transit (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg). The antimotility effect of (-)-fenchone decreased in the presence of pilocarpine, yohimbine, propranolol, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester or glibenclamide. In the enteropooling model, no reduction in intestinal fluid weight was observed. (-)- Fenchone did not show antibacterial activity; on the other hand, inhibits the growth of strains of fungi with a minimum fungicide concentration of 32 μg/mL. However, when it was associated with amphotericin B, no synergism was observed.CONCLUSIONThe antidiarrheal effect of (-)-fenchone in this study involves antimotility effect and not involve antisecretory mechanisms. (-)-Fenchone presents antifungal activity; however, it did not show antibacterial activity.

Investigation of ethnomedicinal use of Commiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J. B. Gillett (Burseraceae) in treatment of diarrhea

Ethnopharmacological relevanceCommiphora leptophloeos (Mart.) J.B. Gillett, popularly known as “imburana”, “imburana-de-cheiro” or “imburana-de-espinho”, has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, such as diarrhea. The indian tribes “Kairir-Shokó and shokó use the bark to treat diarrhea. However, there is no scientific evidence to justify the therapeutic use of this species. Aim of the studyTo investigate the ethnomedicinal use of Commiphora leptophloeos, with respect to the antimicrobial, antisecretory, antimotility and antispasmodic activities of the crude ethanolic extract obtained from its leaves (CL-EtOHL) and the mechanism underlying this action in rodents. Material and methodsIn the evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal activities was determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract, against different strains of bacteria and fungi. All experimental protocols were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Paraíba (045/2016). In addition, behavioral screening and acute toxicity assessment of CL-EtOHL were performed in female mice (n = 6). In the investigation of antidiarrheal activity (n = 6), frequency of defecation and number of liquid stools, were classified during 4 h, and intestinal fluid and transit were measured. In addition, the antispasmodic effect on rat ileum (n = 5) was also investigated. ResultsThe ethanolic extract is rich in flavonoids and the main were identified as C-glycosylated flavonoids (isoorientin, orientin, and vitexin). In the evaluation of antimicrobial and antifungal activity, the extract showed moderate efficacy only against the tested strains of Candida krusei ATCC-6258, Candida parapsilosis ATCC-22019 and Candida glabrata ATCC-90030. The extract had no toxic effect until 2000 mg/kg. In castor oil-induced diarrhea, CL-EtOHL inhibited, in a dose-dependent manner, both total defecation frequency (ED50 = 380.4 ± 145.4 mg/kg) and the number of watery stools (ED50 = 151.2 ± 76.3 mg/kg). The extract showed no effect on fluid accumulation or normal intestinal transit. On the other hand, when the animals were pretreated with castor oil, the extract decreased the distance traveled by the activated charcoal (ED50 = 177.0 ± 50.3 mg/kg). In the investigation of antispasmodic effect, CL-EtOHL antagonized the contractions induced by KCl 30 mM (IC50 = 208.2 ± 25.9 μg/mL) and CCh 10−6 M (IC50 = 95. ± 22.0 μg/mL). To verify the participation of muscarinic receptors in this effect, cumulative carbachol curves were performed in the absence and presence of the extract, and a non-competitive pseudo-irreversible antagonism of these receptors was observed. ConclusionThe data indicate that ethanol extract obtained from the leaves of Commiphora leptophloeos has an antidiarrheal effect due to inhibition of the intestinal motility and antispasmodic effect, through the antagonism of muscarinic receptors. In addition, we suggest that flavonoids isolated from CL-EtOHL may be responsible for antidiarrheal activity of this extract. This explains its ethnomedicinal use in the treatment of diarrhea.

Antidiarrhoeal activity of the 80% methanol root extract of &lt;i&gt; Thalictrum ryhnchocarpum&lt;/i&gt; Dill. &amp; A. Rich and its major constituent against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice

No Abstract.

Evaluation of Anti-Diarrheal Activity of 80% Methanol Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Delile (Asteraceae) Leaves in Mice.

IntroductionDiarrhea is a cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in children. Patients with diarrhea have been suffering from limited treatment options due to poor drug tolerance, side effect, and multi-drug resistance to almost all the current drug treatments. Therefore, it is important to search for a new therapeutic medicine that can effectively prevent the disease and safe. Vernonia amygdalina is an indigenous medicinal plant used traditionally for the treatment of diarrhea in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was therefore to confirm the antidiarrheal activities of 80% methanol leaves extract using mice models.Materials and MethodsThe antidiarrheal activities of the 80% methanol leaves extract were investigated using castor oil-induced diarrhea, intestinal motility, and enteropooling models in mice. The negative control received distilled water orally, the test groups received three dose levels (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the plant materials, and the positive control is given 3 mg/kg Loperamide orally.ResultsIn the castor oil-induced diarrheal model, the extract delayed onset of diarrhea and reduced fecal parameters at all tested doses significantly as compared with the negative control. Results from the charcoal meal test revealed that the extract produced a significant anti-motility effect at all tested doses as compared with the negative control. In the enteropooling test, the extract produced a significant decline in the volume and weight of intestinal contents. The observed antidiarrheal activity could be associated with the phytochemicals present in this plant extract. It was also observed that the extracts have shown no acute toxicity at a dose of 2 g/kg.ConclusionThis study provides the antidiarrheal activity of the crude extract in all three models. Hence, the findings provide scientific support for the traditional use of Vernonia amygdalina leaves as treatment of diarrhea.

Phytochemical and Pharmacological Investigations of Lannea grandis (Dennst.) Engl. Leaves Extracts

Medicinal plants can serve as a prominent source of bioactive secondary metabolites which can exert beneficial effects to combat against many human diseases. Lannea grandis (Dennst.) Engl, a member of Anacardiaceae family has several applications in the ethnomedical practices. In this study, the ethanol extract of L. grandis leaf (ELG) along with its petroleum-ether and chloroform fractions were subjected to phytochemical analysis along with the evaluation of antimicrobial, anti-diarrheal, and sedative activities using standard protocols. Phytochemical screening was performed according to common phytochemical tests. Antimicrobial assay was carried out by disc diffusion method where the ethanol extract of L. grandis showed significant activity against tested bacterial species (zone of inhibitions = 10.8±0.85 to 13.8±1.84 mm). The same extract also exhibited the highest antifungal activity against Blastomyces dermatitidis (zone of inhibition = 20.5±0.35 mm). The chloroform fraction of L. grandis at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight produced a significant (p&lt;0.05) anti-diarrheal effect with 40.69% inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. During sedative activity assay in mice, the plant extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight produced mild reduction in the time of onset of sleep and increased the length of the sleeping time induced by a sedative, phenobarbitone. In conclusion, the plant L. grandis can be considered as a base for the development of new drugs and phytomedicine.&#x0D; Keywords: Lannea grandis, phytochemical, antimicrobial, anti-diarrheal, sedative activity.

Assessment of Antidiarrheal, Antispasmodic and Antimicrobial Activities of Methanolic Seeds Extract of Peganum harmala L. (Nitrariaceae)

Background: Many plants and herbs have been shown to possess antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, and antimicrobial activities. The present study was developed to determine the possible antidiarrheal and antispasmodic effects of methanolic extract of Peganum harmala L. (MEPH) in diarrhea and hyperactive gut.&#x0D; Methodology: The crude MEPH was studied using the in-vivo castor oil-induced diarrhea model in mice, while isolated rat ileum was used in the in-vitro studies. Antimicrobial efficacy of MEPH was tested against different bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia), Yeast (Candida albicans) and Fungus (Aspergillus niger) using in-vitro assays.&#x0D; Results: In the castor oil-induced diarrhea, MEPH at 100 and 200 mg/kg showed 40% and 80% protection in mice while positive control drug, loperamide showed 100% protection. In the in-vitro experiments, MEPH dose-dependently (0.01 to 0.3 mg/mL) inhibited carbachol and high K+-induced contractions at comparable EC50 values similar to papaverine, a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor. The PDE inhibitory like effect was further confirmed when pre-incubated ileum tissues with MEPH (0.1 and 0.3 mg/mL) shift the isoprenaline-mediated inhibitory CRCs against carbachol to the left, similar to papaverine. In antibacterial assay, MEPH showed efficacy against two Gram positive bacteria (S. aureus, and B. subtilis) and one Gram negative bacteria (E. coli). But extract didn’t show any effect against K. pneumoniae. The MEPH also showed efficacy against fungal strain (A. niger) and yeast strain (C. albicans).&#x0D; Conclusions: MEPH shows antidiarrheal and antispasmodic effects because of its antimotility effect which were possibly due to the inhibition of PDE enzyme. The study has shown an optimal antimicrobial activity of MEPH as all bacteria, yeast and fungal strains were found sensitive except K. pneumoniae. MEPH proved efficacy against both enteric and non-enteric pathogens causing diarrhea, thus confirming its role in both the infectious and non-infectious diarrhea.

Effects of hydroethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis (Promax-c) on castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice

The aim of our work was to evaluate the effect of hydroethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis (Promax-c) on castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. Diarrhea was induced in mice by oral administration 0.5 mL of castor oil in all mice. To determine the effective doses, each mouse received, 30 minutes after the administration of castor oil, one of the single oral doses of Promax-c: 0, 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg bw. The mass and frequency of stool were measured and recorded per hour for five hours. The effect of Promax-c on the intestinal motility was evaluated by measuring the distance traveled by the charcoal meal in thirty minutes. The effects of Promax-c on intestinal secretion were evaluated by measuring the volume of the intestinal content and by dosing the electrolytes (Na+, K+, and Cl-) in the intestinal content by the colorimetric method. Promax-c produced significant (P

Effects of hydroethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis (Promax-c) on castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice

Effects of hydroethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis (Promax-c) on castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice