title: Antidiarrheal activity of methanolic extract of the root bark ofCordia africana.
abstract: An ethnobotanical study in Agew-Awi and Amhara peoples in northwest Ethiopia reported thatCordia africanais used traditionally in the treatment of liver disease, amebiasis, stomachache, and diarrhea. The root and root bark are reported to be used in the treatment of diarrhea. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate the antidiarrheal effect ofC. africanaagainst castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. The antidiarrheal effect of the plant was tested on castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice (23-25 g) of either sex. Number of diarrheic defecations, intestinal length traveled by the charcoal meal, and weight of intestinal fluid were taken as important parameters to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of the plant extract. In preliminary phytochemical screening tests, the methanolic extract ofC. africanawas found to contain phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, and saponins. Reduction in the number of diarrheic drops was observed in groups of mice that received 200 mg/kg (P<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (P<0.01) of the extract compared to the negative controls. The percent inhibition of intestinal fluid accumulation was 26.83%, 46.34%, and 53.66% at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. Relative to the negative control group, the mean percent of intestinal length moved by the charcoal meal was decreased by 24.41%, 39.89%, and 51.66% in groups of mice given 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the plant extract, respectively. To iterate the finding, the root bark extract ofC. africanawas found to be effective in preventing castor oil-induced diarrhea and intestinal motility in a dose-dependent manner. This reveals that the plant material has promising antidiarrheal activity as it is claimed in traditional medical practice.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors: Assefa Belay
authors: AB
authors: Asrie
authors: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors: Mohammedbrhan
authors: M
authors: Abdelwuhab
authors: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors: Zewdneh
authors: Z
authors: Shewamene
authors: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors: Desalegn Asmelashe
authors: DA
authors: Gelayee
authors: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors: Getnet Mequanint
authors: GM
authors: Adinew
authors: Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
authors: Eshetie Melese
authors: EM
authors: Birru
keywords: Cordia africana; antidiarrheal activity; castor oil; mice; traditional medicine