Anti-diarrhoeal effects of three Nigerian medicinal plant extracts on <i>E.coli-induced</i> diarrhea

Abstract

Pawpaw root (Carica papaya), Guava leaf (Psidium guajava) and Bush Mango leaf (Irvingia gabonensis) are commonly used locally to treat diarrhoea. The present study evaluated the anti-diarrhoeal effects of these plant extracts on E. coli - induced diarrhoea in albino rats. Fresh tender roots and leaves of these plants were collected, air dried, powdered and percolated in n-hexane, Methanol and aqueous solvents. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was done using different standard methods. Diarrhoea was induced with Ecoli in albino rats using standard procedures. Qualitative phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of various  phytochemicals like saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, phytates, oxalates and phenols. The extracts, in a dose dependent manner, significantly protected the rats against diarrhoea induced experimentally by E. coli in terms of the nature of stool passage; there was no significant difference when
compared with the control drug (loperamide) (P> 0.05). Generally, methanol extract of Irvingia gabonensis was more effective at low (100 ml/kg) and high (200 ml/kg) doses. The study justifies the ethno pharmacological uses of these medicinal plants for treatments of diarrhoeal disease.

Keywords: Diarrhoea, E. coli, Carica papaya, Psidium guajava, Irvingia gabonensis.