title: Possible anti-diarrhoeal potential of ethanol leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata in castor oil-induced rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chromolaena odorata is a plant commonly used traditionally to treat ailments including diarrhoea in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata was studied for its anti-diarrhoeal activity using electrolyte test and castor oil-induced diarrhoea rats' models. Acute toxicity effect of the extract was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract showed a dose-dependent protection against castor oil-induced diarrhoea at the tested doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weights). The protection offered by pretreatment with 400 mg/kg body weight of the ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata with regards to reductions in the incidences of faecal wetness and rate of defaecations were statistically comparable to that achieved with Lomotil, a known anti-diarrhoeic drug. The result of the electrolyte test showed that the extract pretreated groups had significantly (p<0.05) lower potassium and sodium ions in their intestinal fluid when compared with the diarrhoeic untreated controls. This is well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that the ethanol leaf extract of C. odorata is safe and possesses anti-diarrhoeal activity with electrolyte reabsorption proposed as the possible mechanism of action.
authors.forename: Patrick Emeka
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Aba
authors.forename: Parker Elija
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Joshua
authors.forename: Francis Chimaobi
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Ezeonuogu
authors.forename: Maxwell Ikechukwu
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Ezeja
authors.forename: Valentine Uneojo
authors.initials: VU
authors.lastname: Omoja
authors.forename: Paschal Ugochukwu
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Umeakuana
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002368:Castor Oil; D036604:Chromolaena; D003672:Defecation / Q000187:drug effects; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects*; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D009549:Nigeria; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002368:Castor Oil; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium