Antidiarrhoeal Activity ofMusa paradisiacaSap in Wistar Rats

Abstract

The folkloric claim of Musa paradisiaca sap in the management of diarrhoea is yet to be substantiated or refuted with scientific data. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to screen the sap of M. paradisiaca for both its secondary metabolites and antidiarrhoeal activity at 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mL in rats. Secondary metabolites were screened using standard methods while the antidiarrhoeal activity was done by adopting the castor oil-induced diarrhoeal, castor oil-induced enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility models. The sap contained flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and steroids while cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, triterpenes, cardenolides, and dienolides were not detected. In the castor oil-induced diarrhoeal model, the sap significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged the onset time of diarrhoea, decreased the number, fresh weight, and water content of feaces, and increased the inhibition of defecations. Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the small intestine increased significantly whereas nitric oxide content decreased. The decreases in the masses and volumes of intestinal fluid by the sap were accompanied by increase in inhibition of intestinal fluid content in the enteropooling model. The sap decreased the charcoal meal transit in the gastrointestinal motility model. In all the models, the 1.00 mL of the sap produced changes that compared well with the reference drugs. Overall, the antidiarrhoeal activity of Musa paradisiaca sap attributed to the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, and/or saponins which may involve, among others, enhancing fluid and electrolyte absorption through de novo synthesis of the sodium potassium ATPase and/or reduced nitric oxide levels.

Antidiarrheal and Antinociceptive Effects of a Probiotic Mixture in Rats

“…The production of ricinoleic acid in the intestine results in inflammation and irritation of the mucosa and the release of mediators like prostaglandins that prevent fluid and electrolyte absorption and increase the intestinal peristaltic movements, this series of events ultimately leading to diarrhea [14,15,18]. By using the castor oil-induced enteropooling model and the charcoal transit method, we showed that the probiotic mixture decreased both the accumulation of fluid into the lumen and intestinal motility.…”

“…It is well known that castor oil induces diarrhea through its active metabolite, ricinoleic acid [14,15,18]. The production of ricinoleic acid in the intestine results in inflammation and irritation of the mucosa and the release of mediators like prostaglandins that prevent fluid and electrolyte absorption and increase the intestinal peristaltic movements, this series of events ultimately leading to diarrhea [14,15,18].…”

“…That means that the health benefit attributed to one strain is not necessarily applicable to another strain even within the same species and that consequently, efficacy of a specific strain or mixture has to be substantiated by experimental evidence. Therefore, the antidiarrheal effect of our probiotic mixture was evaluated in comparison with the standard drug loperamide using the rat model of castor oil-induced diarrhea, a model extensively used to assess anti-diarrheal substances [13][14][15][16][17][18]. The antinociceptive effect of the probiotic mixture was also assessed in this model.…”

Evaluation of Antidiarrheal Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Eriobotrya Japonica Lindl

“…Na + /K + -ATPase is one of the intestinal key enzymes which plays an important role in the absorption of electrolytes and water in the intestine. Any disruption or inhibition of this enzyme may cause increased intestinal fluid secretion leading to diarrhea [41,42]. Castor oil-induced diarrhea is provoked by ricinoleic acid which, in part alters the intestinal mucosa permeability to electrolytes by interfering with the normal activity of Na + /K + -ATPase resulting in abnormal intestinal absorptive and secretory mechanisms [43,44].…”

Let’s Go Bananas! Green Bananas and their Health Benefits

“…These studies suggest green bananas could be included in the diet as an adjunct in the management of Shigellosis. Flavonoids and saponins present in green bananas might be responsible for the anti-diarrheal activity by inhibiting intestinal motility and hydro electrolytic secretion as well as inhibiting the release of histamines [14]. Green banana flour rich in resistant starches has protective effects during the intestinal inflammatory process.…”