Evaluation of the antidiarrheal activity of 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of Bersama abyssinica fresen (Melianthaceae) in mice

Abstract

Introduction The use of traditional medicinal plants in the management of diarrhea has long been practiced in Ethiopia. B. abyssinica fresen is one of the plants traditionally used to treat diarrhea whereas an in vivo study had not yet been conducted. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of crude extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of B. abyssinica in mice. Methods Cold maceration within 80% methanol was used to extract the leaf powder and extract of the leaf was fractionated using n-hexane, chloroform, and distilled water. The in vivo antidiarrheal activity of crude extracts and solvent fractions were tested in experimental models of castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and antimotility test. Five groups each with 6 mice were used under the three antidiarrheal models. Positive controls were treated with loperamide 3 mg/kg and atropine 5 mg/kg and 2% tween 80 was used in the treatment of negative controls. The extract and solvent fractions were administered at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Time of onset of diarrhea, number and weight of total and wet feces, the percent reduction in the number of wet feces, weight and volume of intestinal contents, and percent inhibition of intestinal motility were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Result Defecation of castor oil-induced diarrheal or loose stools was inhibited (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of crude extract and aqueous fraction. The crude extract and the aqueous fraction at three doses (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), the chloroform fraction at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), and the n-hexane fraction at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05) reduced intraluminal fluid accumulation compared with the negative control. Castor oil-induced intestinal motility was significantly suppressed with the three-doses of aqueous fraction (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001), 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of crude extract (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01), 400 mg/kg of chloroform and n-hexane (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) compared with negative control. Conclusion The crude extract, aqueous, and chloroform fractions of B. abyyssinica leaves have promising anti-diarrheal effects, supporting the plant's traditional use to treat diarrhea.

Antidiarrheal activities of methanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of the root of Verbascum sinaiticum Benth. (Scrophularaceae) in mice

“…Additionally, the crude extract exhibited the highest ADI value across all the test treatments at the corresponding doses, showing that it might have higher antidiarrheal activity than the solvent fractions. Regarding viewing the antidiarrheal effect in consideration of the ADI value, the result of this study is not consistent with a result reported by Ayalew et al [ 45 ] which shows that the highest antidiarrheal activity might be produced by the chloroform fraction, whereas the highest activity was produced by the methanolic crude extract followed by the aqueous fraction in this study. The results are also differed from those of a study on the antidiarrheal effects of various solvent extracts of Tetrastigma leucostaphylum which reported that the percentage inhibition of diarrhea and antidiarrheal index values produced by the various organic solvents are generally greater than resulted by the methanolic extract [ 41 ].…”

The ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of the genus Bersama: current review and future perspectives

“…The crude extract and aqueous fraction at three doses ( p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), the chloroform fraction at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (p ˂ 0.01 to p ˂ 0.001), and the n-hexane fraction at 400 mg/kg (p ˂ 0.05) all reduced intraluminal fluid accumulation when compared to the negative control. The crude extract (70.83%) significantly suppressed Castor oil-induced intestinal motility by 70.83%, which is comparable to the positive control loperamide (75.0%) at 400 mg/kg ( Ayalew et al, 2022 ).…”

In Vivo Antidiarrheal Potential of the Leaf Extract of Maytenus addat (Loes.) Sebsebe and Its Major Compound

“…One of the mechanisms is that it produces the active metabolite ricinoleic acid by intestinal lipases. Ricinoleic acid stimulates the secretion of liquid and electrolytes and increases intestinal motility due to irritation and inflammation of the intestinal mucosa that leads to the release of prostaglandins [ 27 , 28 ]. Castor oil also inhibits intestinal Na + /K + -ATP-ase activity, which induces diarrhea by reducing normal fluid absorption [ 29 ].…”