PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTI-DIARRHOEAL PROPERTIES OF METHANOL ROOT EXTRACT OF GUIERA SENEGALENSIS J.F. GMEL

Abstract

The study investigated the anti-diarrhoeal properties and phytochemical constituents of the methanol root extract of Guiera senegalensis. The phytochemical components of the extract were evaluated. White Wister strain albino rats weighing between 150-200 g were used to investigate the acute toxicity, the castor oil-induced diarrhoea, intestinal fluid accumulation and transit of charcoal meal of the extract. The extract was safe at doses up to 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, reducing and combined sugars, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids and cardenolides. The results of the present study showed that the extract of the root of G.senegalensis produced a statistically significant ( p<0.05) reduction in the frequency of diarrhoea produced by castor oil, castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation and transit of charcoal meal.

The methanol root extract of G. senegalensis exhibited a significant inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhea, though not dose-dependent. The highest dose of 800 mg/kg exhibited a lower reduction of 32.81±0.58 % when compared to the other two doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg which gave 45.31 and 57.89 % inhibition respectively. The loperamide (5 mg/kg) treated group gave a 100±0.00 % inhibition. The extract also slowed down the propulsion of charcoal meal through the GIT dose-dependently. The atropine-treated group gave 82.59±0.42 % inhibition. There was also a marked reduction in the weight and volume of intestinal contents which was dose-dependent.

The anti-diarrhoeal activity exhibited by the methanol extract could be due to the presence or solubility of most of the bioactive compounds in higher amounts or concentrations.

This study provided a scientific basis for the use of G. senegalensis root extract in the treatment of diarrhoea.