Antidiarrhoeal activity of an ethanol extract of the stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum (Caesalpiniaceae) in rats

Is aromatic plants environmental health engineering (APEHE) a leverage point of the earth system?

It is important to note that every ecological niche in an ecosystem is significant. This study aims to assess the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in the ecosystem from multiple perspectives. A primary model of Aromatic Plants Environmental Health Engineering (APEHE) has been designed and constructed. The APEHE system was used to collect aerosol compounds, and it was experimentally verified that these compounds have the potential to impact human health by binding to AKT1 as the primary target, and MMP9 and TLR4 as secondary targets. These compounds may indirectly affect human immunity by reversing drug resistance in drug-resistant bacteria in the nasal cavity. This is mainly achieved through combined mutations in sdhA, scrA, and PEP. Our findings are based on Network pharmacology and molecular binding, drug-resistance rescue experiments, as well as combined transcriptomics and metabolomics experiments. It is suggested that APEHE may have direct or indirect effects on human health. We demonstrate APEHE's numerous potential benefits, such as attenuation and elimination of airborne microorganisms in the environment, enhancing carbon and nitrogen storage in terrestrial ecosystems, promoting the formation of low-level clouds and strengthening the virtuous cycle of Earth's ecosystems. APEHE also supports the development of transdisciplinary technologies, including terpene energy production. It facilitates the creation of a sustainable circular economy and provides additional economic advantages through urban optimisation, as well as fresh insights into areas such as the habitability of other planets. APEHE has the potential to serve as a leverage point for the Earth system. We have created a new research direction.

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

Background

In Ethiopian traditional medicine, V. sinaiticum is one of the most often utilized medicinal herbs for the treatment of diarrhea. Therefore, this study was conducted to validate the use of the plant for the treatment of diarrhea in the traditional medical practice of Ethiopia.

Methods

Castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and intestinal motility test models in mice were used to evaluate the antidiarrheal properties of the 80% methanol crude extract and the solvent fractions of the root component of V. sinaiticum. The effects of the crude extract and the fractions on time for onset, frequency, weight, and water content of diarrheal feces, intestinal fluid accumulation, and intestinal transit of charcoal meal were evaluated and compared with the corresponding results in the negative control.

Results

The crude extract (CE), aqueous fraction (AQF), and ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) significantly delayed the onset of diarrhea. Besides, the CE and AQF at 200 and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) of the doses, and EAF at 200 (p < 0.01) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) significantly decreased the frequency of diarrheal stools. Furthermore, CE, AQF, and EAF at their three serial doses (p < 0.001), significantly reduced the weights of the fresh diarrheal stools as compared to the negative control. The CE and AQF at 100 (p < 0.01), and 200 and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) of their doses and EAF at 200 (p < 0.01) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) significantly decreased the fluid contents of diarrheal stools compared to the negative control. In the enteropooling test, the CE at 100 (p < 0.05), and 200 and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001), AQF at 200 (P < 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01), and EAF at 200 (p < 0.01) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) significantly decreased the weights of intestinal contents compared to the negative control. Additionally, the CE at 100 and 200 (p < 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001), AQF at 100 (p < 0.05), 200 (p < 0.01), and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) of the doses, and EAF at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05), produced significant reductions in the volumes of intestinal contents. In the intestinal motility test model, the CE, AQF, and EAF at all their serial doses (p < 0.001), significantly suppressed the intestinal transit of charcoal meal and peristaltic index compared to the negative control.

Conclusion

Overall, the results of this study showed that the crude extract and the solvent fractions of the root parts of V. sinaiticum had considerable in vivo antidiarrheal activities. Besides, the crude extract, especially at 400 mg/kg, produced the highest effect followed by the aqueous fraction at the same dose. This might indicate that the bioactive compounds responsible for the effects are more of hydrophilic in nature. Moreover, the antidiarrheal index values were increased with the doses of the extract and the fractions, suggesting that the treatments might have dose-dependent antidiarrheal effects. Additionally, the extract was shown to be free of observable acute toxic effects. Thus, this study corroborates the use the root parts of V. sinaiticum to treat diarrhea in the traditional settings. Furthermore, the findings of this study are encouraging and may be used as the basis to conduct further studies in the area including chemical characterization and molecular based mechanism of actions of the plant for its confirmed antidiarrheal effects.

Antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and toxic effects of the aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of Cucumis dipsaceus (Ehrenb. Ex Spach.)

Introduction: Cucumis dipsaceus is used to treat diarrhoea, microbial infections, among other diseases across the world; however, there is insufficient empirical data to validate its efficacy, toxicity, and safety. Accordingly, we investigated the antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and toxic effects of the aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus.Methods: Antidiarrheal activities of the aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus were investigated using the castor oil-induced diarrhoea technique in a Wistar rat model. The disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods were adopted to determine the antimicrobial activities of the studied plant extracts. The acute oral toxicity effects of the studied plant extracts were investigated in Wistar rats according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines.Results: The aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited diarrhoea in a dose-dependent manner in experimental rats. Besides, the studied extracts significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited the growth of Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans in varying degrees, as depicted by their growth inhibition zones (>6.00 mm) and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs <1000 μg/mL). Moreover, the studied extracts did not cause any observable acute oral toxicity effects in the experimental rats across the 14-day experimental period.Conclusion: The aqueous and methanolic leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus present a potential source of safe and efficacious lead compounds for developing antidiarrheal and antimicrobial therapies.

Evaluation of carbon tetrachloride fraction of Actinodaphne angustifolia Nees (Lauraceae) leaf extract for antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic and antidiarrheal properties

Actinodaphne angustifolia Nees (Family: Lauraceae) is commonly used in folk medicine against urinary disorder and diabetes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, and antidiarrheal activities of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) fraction of leaves of A. angustifolia (CTFAA) in different experimental models. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by using qualitative and quantitative assays, while antidiarrheal effects assessed with castor oil-induced diarrheal models in mice. The clot lysis and brine shrimp lethality bioassay were used to investigate the thrombolytic and cytotoxic activities, respectively. CTFAA showed antioxidant effects in all qualitative and quantitative procedures. The fraction produced dose-dependent and significant (P<0.05 and P<0.01) activities in castor oil-induced diarrheal models. Moreover, CTFAA significantly (P<0.05) demonstrated a 15.29% clot lysis effect in the thrombolytic test, and the brine shrimp lethality assay LC₅₀ value was 424.16 μg/ml bioassay. In conclusion, the current study showed CTFAA has significant antidiarrheal effects along with modest antioxidant and thrombolytic effects, and these data warrant further experiment to justify and include CTFAA as a supplement to mitigate the onset of diarrheal and cardiovascular disease.

Deciphering the Pharmacological Properties of Methanol Extract of Psychotria calocarpa Leaves by In Vivo, In Vitro and In Silico Approaches

The present study explores the neuropharmacological, antinociceptive, antidiarrheal, antioxidant, thrombolytic and cytotoxic activity of methanol extract of Psychotria calocarpa leaves (MEPC). In anxiolytic activity testing of MEPC by elevated plus maze test, hole-board test and light-dark test, the extract exhibited a dose-dependent reduction of anxiety while the open field test observed a decreased locomotion. The administration of MEPC revealed a significant dose-dependent reduction of depressant behavior in forced swimming and tail suspension test. Additionally, the antinociceptive and antidiarrheal activity exposed a significant reduction of nociception and diarrheal behavior at the highest dose. In addition, a strong antioxidant activity was observed in DPPH-free radical-scavenging assay (IC50 = 461.05 μg/mL), total phenol content (118.31 ± 1.12 mg) and total flavonoid content (100.85 ± 0.97 mg). The significant clot-lysis activity was also observed with moderate toxicity (LC50 = 247.92 μg/mL) level in the lethality assay of brine shrimp. Moreover, in silico molecular docking study showed that the compound Psychotriasine could offer promising active site interactions for binding proteins. Furthermore, ADME/T and toxicological properties of the compound satisfied the Lipinski's rule of five and Veber rules for drug-like potential and toxicity level. Overall, MEPC had a potential neuropharmacological, antinociceptive, antidiarrheal and antioxidant activity that warranted further investigation.

Evaluation of the Antidiarrheal Activity of Hydromethanol Crude Extracts of Ruta chalepensis and Vernonia amygdalina in Mice

Background

The herbal medicine practitioners in Ethiopia have used a wide range of medicinal plants as antidiarrheal agents. Among these, Ruta chalepensis and Vernonia amygdalina were claimed to have antidiarrheal activity in Ethiopian folklore medicine. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of the crude extracts of Ruta chalepensis and Vernonia amygdalina in mice.

Methods

The crude extracts were obtained by cold maceration with 80% methanol, and its antidiarrheal activities were evaluated using a castor oil-induced diarrheal model. The test groups were treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight (bw) of the crude extract of each plant, while the positive controls and negative controls were given loperamide (3 mg/kg.bw) and 2% Tween 80 (10 ml/kg.bw), respectively.

Results

In the castor oil-induced model, the crude extract of Ruta chalepensis (200 and 400 mg/kg.bw) significantly prolonged the onset of diarrhea in mice. Besides, it also showed a significant reduction in the frequency of stooling and weight of feces. Contrastingly, the crude extract of Vernonia amygdalina had a significant effect in delaying the onset of time of diarrhea and reduction of the frequency of stool and the weight of feces only at the maximum tested dose (400 mg/kg.bw).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that the crude leaves extract of Ruta chalepensis (200 and 400 mg/kg.bw) and Vernonia amygdalina (400 mg/kg.bw) possessed significant antidiarrheal activity in the castor oil-induced diarrheal model.

Antidiarrheal Activity of 80% Methanolic Leaf Extract of Justicia schimperiana

Background

Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of preventable death in developing countries and mainly affects children and infants. It has been reported that the leaf of Justicia schimperiana is used as an antidiarrheal agent in Libo Kemekem district, northwest Ethiopia.

Method

The 80% methanolic leaf extract of J. schimperiana was evaluated for its activity against castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility in mice.

Results

Significant reduction (p < 0.001) in the total defecation and diarrheal drops was produced by all the test doses of the extract. Percentage inhibition of wet feces was 42.58, 65.07, and 74.96% at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract, respectively. The extract also significantly inhibited castor oil-induced enteropooling at all test doses. The percent reduction in mean weight of intestinal contents was 66.96, 67.83, and 76.52% at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract, respectively. The extract significantly reduced gastrointestinal movement of charcoal meal as well at 200 (p < 0.01) and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) doses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the methanolic leaf extract of J. schimperiana has an antidiarrheal activity and this supports the use of this plant in the treatment of diarrhea in the traditional settings.

Evaluation of the anti-diarrheal activity of the leaf extract of Croton macrostachyus Hocsht. ex Del. (Euphorbiaceae) in mice model

Background

Traditional healers in Ethiopia use a wide range of medicinal plants with antidiarrheal properties. Among these, Croton macrostachyus is one such plant claimed to have an antidiarrheal activity in Ethiopian folklore medicine. Previous studies showed that the crude extract is endowed with the claimed property. The present study was undertaken to further the claim by screening different fractions for the said activity so that it could serve as a basis for subsequent studies.

Methods

The fractions were obtained by successive extraction in soxhlet apparatus with solvents of different polarity (chloroform & methanol) followed by cold maceration of the deposit of the methanol fraction with distilled water. The antidiarrheal activity was evaluated using castor oil induced diarrheal model, charcoal meal test and anti-enteropooling test in mice. The test groups received various doses (300, 400, 500 mg/kg and an additional dose of 1000 mg/kg for the aqueous fraction) of the fractions, whereas positive controls received either Loperamide (3 mg/kg) or Atropine (5 mg/kg) and negative controls received vehicle (10 ml/kg).

Results

In the castor oil induced model, the chloroform (at all test doses) and methanol (at 400 & 500 mg/kg) fractions significantly delayed diarrheal onset, decreased stool frequency and weight of feces. The aqueous fraction was however devoid of significant effect at all the tested doses. Chloroform and methanol fractions produced a significant dose dependent decline in the weight and volume of intestinal contents while the aqueous fraction did not have a significant effect. All the fractions produced a significant anti-motility effect either at all doses (chloroform fraction) or at middle and higher doses (methanol and aqueous fractions).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that the chloroform and methanol fractions possessed significant anti-diarrheal activity. Nevertheless, the aqueous fraction showed only significant anti-motility effect at the higher dose (1000 mg/kg) employed in the study.

Evaluation of Antidiarrheal Activity of Methanolic Extract of Maranta arundinacea Linn. Leaves

Diarrhea is one of the most common causes for thousands of deaths every year. Therefore, identification of new source of antidiarrheal drugs becomes one of the most prominent focuses in modern research. Our aim was to investigate the antidiarrheal and cytotoxic activities of methanolic extract of Maranta arundinacea linn. (MEMA) leaves in rats and brine shrimp, respectively. Antidiarrheal effect was evaluated by using castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility tests at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight in rats where the cytotoxic activity was justified using brine shrimp lethality bioassay at different concentrations of MEMA. The extract showed considerable antidiarrheal effect by inhibiting 42.67% and 57.75% of diarrheal episode at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. MEMA also significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the castor oil-induced intestinal volume (2.14 ± 0.16 to 1.61 ± 0.12 mL) in enteropooling test as well as intestinal transit (33.00 to 43.36%) in GI motility test, compared to their respective control. These observed effects are comparable to that of standard drug loperamide (5 mg/kg). On the other hand, in brine shrimp lethality test after 24 h, surviving brine shrimp larvae were counted and LD50 was assessed. Result showed that MEMA was potent against brine shrimp with LD50 value of 420 µg/mL. So the highest dose of 400 µg/mL of MEMA was not toxic to mice. So these results indicate that bioactive compounds are present in methanolic extract of Maranta arundinacea leaves including significant antidiarrheal activity and could be accounted for pharmacological effects.

Anti-trypanosomal activity of nigerian plants and their constituents

African trypanosomiasis is a vector-borne parasitic disease causing serious risks to the lives of about 60 million people and 48 million cattle globally. Nigerian medicinal plants are known to contain a large variety of chemical structures and some of the plant extracts have been screened for antitrypanosomal activity, in the search for potential new drugs against the illness. We surveyed the literatures on plants and plant-derived products with antitrypanosomal activity from Nigerian flora published from 1990 to 2014. About 90 plants were identified, with 54 compounds as potential active agents and presented by plant families in alphabetical order. This review indicates that the Nigerian flora may be suitable as a starting point in searching for new and more efficient trypanocidal molecules.

Antidiarrheal activity of ethanolic extract of Manihot esculenta Crantz leaves in Wistar rats

Background:

Use of Manihot esculenta Crantz (MEC) plant has been mentioned in literature of Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute and many others. It is also known commonly as tapioca, continues to be a crop of food security for the millions of people, especially in the developing countries of the globe including India. Medicinal uses of this plant including diarrhea have been mentioned in literature, but scientific evidence is lacking.

Objective:

The objective was to study antidiarrheal activity of ethanolic leaf extract of MEC in Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods:

Ethanolic extract of MEC leaves in the doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg were used in Wistar rats of either sex. Experimental models used were castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation and charcoal passage test. Loperamide and atropine sulfate were the standard drugs used in these models respectively.

Results:

MEC extracts decreased intestinal fluid volume in dose dependent manner no extract group was comparable with standard drug loperamide (5 mg/kg). MEC extracts also significantly inhibited gastrointestinal motility in dose dependent manner. MEC (100 mg/kg) and MEC (200 mg/kg) were comparable with standard drug atropine sulfate (5 mg/kg) in this aspect. <0.05 were considered to be significant.

Conclusions:

Ethanolic extract of MEC leaves exhibited significant antidiarrheal activity by decreasing intestinal fluid accumulation and the gastrointestinal motility in Wistar rats.

Antibacterial and antispasmodic activities of a dichloromethane fraction of an ethanol extract of stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum

OBJECTIVES

This study presents the antispasmodic and antibacterial properties of an ethanol extract and fractions the of stem bark of Piliostigma reticulatum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antispasmodic effects of the extract and its fractions were performed on isolated rabbit duodenum. The antibacterial properties were determined as minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentration of the extract and fractions of P. reticulatum on susceptible and resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae and Salmonella tiphymurium.

RESULTS

The ethanol extract of P. reticulatum and fractions (except for heptane) produced concentration-dependent relaxant effects on isolated duodenum preparations. The IC50 of the extract and dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous fractions are 0.88452, 0.2453, 0.2909, 0.3946 and 0.3231 mg/ml respectively. The extract was found to significantly antagonize acetylcholine-induced contraction. The susceptible strains E. coli and V. cholerae were the most inhibited by the dichloromethane fraction at 60 mg/mL, as shown by their diameter of inhibition of 13.2 ± 0.76 and 13.3 ± 0.67 mm respectively. Conversely, the dichloromethane fraction, the most active antibacterial fraction, did not inhibit the resistant strains S. dysenteriae and S. tiphymurium.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that P. reticulatum stem bark possesses spasmolytic and antibacterial properties and this may contribute to its traditional medicinal use for the treatment of diarrhea.