Evaluation of Antidiarrheal Activity of 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Leaves of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Background. Withaniasomnifera is an important medicinal plant for the treatment of diarrhea in Ethiopian folklore medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of Withania somnifera leaves in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods. Hydromethanolic crude extraction and solvent fractionation were done using cold maceration technique. 80% methanol was used as a solvent in crude extraction, while distilled water, n-butanol, and chloroform were employed during fractionation. Castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility models were employed to evaluate antidiarrheal activity. Mice were randomly divided into five groups (six mice per group): negative control, which received 2% Tween 80 in distilled water; positive control, which received 3 mg/kg loperamide; and three test groups (III, IV, and V), which were treated with 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of crude extract and solvent fractions, respectively. Results. The crude extract, aqueous, and n-butanol fractions significantly delayed the onset of diarrhea at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg dose. There was a significant reduction in the number and weight of stools at all tested doses of the crude extract and aqueous fraction, and at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of n-butanol fraction. Significant reduction in volume and weight of intestinal contents was observed at all tested doses of the crude extract, and at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of aqueous and n-butanol fractions. All tested doses of the crude extract and 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the aqueous and n-butanol fractions significantly reduced the motility of charcoal meal. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that the crude extract and solvent fractions of the Withania somnifera leaves have antidiarrheal activity and supported the folklore use of the plant.

Phytochemical and Trace elements Variation in different traditional medicinal plant species of Peren District, Nagaland

“…Flavonoids, characterized by their hydroxyl content, account for the radical scavenging effects or chelating process observed in the majority of plants (Giri et al 2022). Similar to our study, the maceration of dried leaves using 80% methanol also yielded the highest amount of the plant extract (Tessema Desta et al 2022). The amount of total phenolics content vary in different plants and range from 25.9 to 115.75 mg GAE/100 g dw (Table .4).…”

In Vitro Inhibition of Colorectal Cancer Gene Targets by Withania somnifera L. Methanolic Extracts: A Focus on Specific Genome Regulation

“…For maximum cell penetration, a recommended minimum volume of 70% methanol (MeOH) was utilized. Essentially, 70–80% MeOH is the most widely utilized solvent because it has strong cell content penetration and is therefore suitable for extracting all primary and secondary metabolites [ 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. The solvent was evaporated in order to concentrate the extract.…”

Validation of Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of 80% Methanolic Extract of the Lonchocarpus laxiflorus Leaves in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Swiss Albino Mice

“…The fresh stock solution was prepared just before the actual experiment was carried out with 2% Tween 80 in distilled water. The extraction process was conducted based on the method explained in reference [ 17 ].…”