ANTIDIARRHOEAL ACTIVITY OF AN ETHANOL EXTRACT OF THE STEM BARK OF PILIOSTIGMA RETICULATUM (CAESALPINIACEAE) IN RATS

• Published in: African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines Vol. 9; no. 2
• Main Authors: Dosso, K, N'guessan, B.B, Bidie, A.P, Gnangoran, B.N, Méité, S, N'guessan, D, Yapo, A.P, Ehilé, E.E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: African Ethnomedicines Network 13-06-2014
• Subjects: Antidiarrhoeal activity; Castor oil; Diarrhoea; Piliostigma reticulatum
• ISSN: 0189-6016

Piliostigma reticulatum (Caesalpiniaceae) is used in Africa as a
traditional medicine for the treatment of many diseases, such as
malaria, tuberculosis and diarrhoea. We investigated the antidiarrhoeal
properties of a crude ethanol extract from the stem bark of Piliostigma
reticulatum (EEPR) in Wistar albino rats to substantiate its
traditional use and to determine its phytochemical constituents. The
antidiarrhoeal activity of the plant extract was evaluated in a castor
oil-induced diarrhoea model in rats and compared with loperamide. The
effect of the extract on gastrointestinal motility was also determined
by the oral administration of charcoal meal and castor oil-induced
intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling). EEPR showed remarkable
dose-dependent antidiarrhoeal activity evidenced by a reduction of
defecation frequency and change in consistency. Extracts at 250, 500
and 1000 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced diarrhoeal faeces.
EEPR also significantly inhibited gastrointestinal motility and castor
oil-induced enteropooling at 500 and 1000 mg/kg, similar to the
inhibition obtained in control rats treated by atropine. Phytochemical
screening revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, polyphenols and
reducing sugars in the stem bark of P. reticulatum. No mortality or
visible signs of general weakness were observed in the rats following
administration of the crude extract in doses up to 6000 mg/kg body
weight in an acute toxicity study. Our results show that the stem bark
of P. reticulatum possesses antidiarrhoeal activity and strongly
suggest that its use in traditional medicine practice could be
justified.