Evaluation of Antidiarrheal Activity of 80% Methanolic Extract of the Leaves of Cordia africana (Lamiaceae) in Mice

Abstract

Background. Diarrheal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, particularly in developing countries. Currently available drugs are linked with adverse effects, contraindications, and risk of resistance. Traditionally, the leaf concoction of Cordia africana is claimed to be used for diarrhea. However, the safety and efficacy of the leaf extract have not been scientifically approved yet. Therefore, the study was conducted to validate its antidiarrheal activity and safety profile in mice. Method. The hydromethanolic extract was obtained by the cold maceration technique in 80% methanol. Phytochemical screening tests were done for secondary metabolites by using standard tests. The antidiarrheal activity of the test extract at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was evaluated by using castor oil-induced diarrheal, gastrointestinal transit, and enteropooling models in mice. Result. In an acute toxicity study, there were no visible signs of toxicity and mortality following a single oral administration of 2000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, and tannins. The hydromethanolic extract significantly prolonged the onset of diarrhea and reduced the weight of wet and total feces at 100 ( P < 0.01 ), 200 ( P < 0.001 ), and 400 mg/kg ( P < 0.001 ) in the castor oil-induced diarrheal model. However, in the gastrointestinal transit model, a significant ( P < 0.001 ) reduction in the charcoal meal travel was observed in the middle (200 mg/kg) and higher (400 mg/kg) test doses. Similarly, the extract produced a significant ( P < 0.001 ) reduction in the weight and volume of intestinal contents at the aforementioned doses. Conclusion. The study demonstrated that the test extract showed promising antidiarrheal activity. Hence, this study supports its antidiarrheal use in Ethiopian folklore medicine.

Ethnomedicinal survey of antidiarrheal plants of the Nyamwezi people of Nsenda ward in Urambo District, central western Tanzania

“…constituents that have pharmacological activities against diarrhea. Moreover, the extracts of Z. officinale (Zhang et al 2020), hydromethanolic extract of C. africana leaves and root bark (Asrie et al 2016, Ferede et al 2021, and methanol bark extracts of H. acida revealed antidiarrheal activities. The literature supports the indigenous knowledge possessed by locals in managing diarrhea in the study area.…”

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

“…Epidemiological studies revealed that diarrhea had been the second cause of death, next to pneumonia, in under-five children globally by 2021 [ 6 ]. Diarrhea-related child death was found at a higher magnitude (78%) in the disadvantaged regions such as African and Southeast Asian [ 7 ].…”

Evaluations of the in vivo laxative effects of aqueous root extracts of Euclea racemosa L. in mice

“…Among the several mechanisms to explain the laxative effect of castor oil, one is the inhibition of intestinal Na+/K + -ATPase activity. Thus, reducing normal fluid absorption through activation of adenylate cyclase or mucosal cyclic adenosine monophosphate-mediated active secretion and nitric oxide release [ 23 , 24 ]. Moreover, castor oil promotes smooth muscle contraction via its metabolite, ricinoleic acid.…”