Search

This study was motivated by the report of a survey of herbal remedies used by Fulani herdsmen in the management of cow diarrhoea in Plateau State, Nigeria. The report identified F. platyphylla stem bark amongst major herbs. Activity of aqueous stem extract of F. platyphylla against diarrhoea caused by physiological changes and by pathological infections was herein determined. Thirty albino rats were fasted for 18 hours. They were grouped into six and induced with diarrhoea using castor oil. The first two groups received distilled water (1 ml) and loperamide (5 mg/kg), while other groups were administered plant extract 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively. The severity of diarrhoea was assessed hourly for 4 hrs. Gastrointestinal motility experiment was carried out using atropine sulphate (5 mg/kg). In vitro anti-diarrhoeal test was carried out against E. coli clinical and laboratory isolates versus antibiotics. The extract inhibited defecation moderately, and regulated frequency of wet stool better than loperamide, the lowest dose (50 mg/kg b. w.) competed favourably with the loperamide. This dose produced the most remarkable activity considering the latent period, total stool frequency, purging indices and percentage inhibition of defecation. The dose showed remarkable activity in the propulsion of charcoal meal through gastrointestinal tract as displayed in the inhibition of diarrhoea. The results of in vitro anti-diarrhoeal test against E. coli showed that the plant extract was inactive on the microorganism. The results from the present study validated the anti-diarrhoeal potential of F. platyphylla via its physiological action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the antidiarrheal, cytotoxic and genotoxic properties of sorghum, millet and corn steep liquors as well as mistletoe extract in wistar rats were investigated. Comparative analysis of antidiarrheal potentials of sorghum, millet and steep liqours with standard drug (loperamide) and oral rehydration solution (ORS) in a castor oil-induced diarrheal model was carried out. Blood was examined for serum biochemical parameters and genotoxic effects were investigated using micronucleus test. In the antidiarrheal test, the test agents showed action which was significant (P<0.05). Mistletoe extract exerted maximum inhibition (55.56 %) against defecation, whereas 44.44 % and 59.26 % inhibitions were obtained for ORS and loperamide respectively. The genotoxicity studies of these steep liquors and mistletoe extract revealed damage to the genetic material and alteration of the activities of some marker enzymes, which is indicative of tissue damage. Although sorghum, millet and corn steep liquors, as well as mistletoe extract have anti-diarrheal activities, their indiscriminate usage, at high concentrations should be discouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]