Antidiarrhoel activity of the saponin and flavonoid fractions of Anarcadium occidentale leaves in albino rats

Abstract

The leaf of Anacardium occidentale (family, Anacardiacea) is used traditionally in African folk medicine to manage, control or treat various human ailments, including diarrhoea. In this study, we examined the antidiarrhoea activity of crude aqueous and fractions of A. occidentale leave extract on experimentally induced diarrhoea in rats. Crude Leave extract (100 to 400 mg/kg p.o) produced a dose dependent and significant protection of rats against castor oil induced diarrhoea. Similar test was conducted on the diethyl ether, aqueous, saponin and flavonoid fractions of A. occidentale leave extract in which case the flavonoid and saponins portions showed better antidiarrhoea activity. The active fractions (flavonoid and saponins) were further evaluated using the charcoal meal test and the flavonoid portion showed a 68.5% inhibition of GIT motility while the saponins portion produced a 38% inhibition at doses of 400 mg/kg respectively. Based on the findings, the aqueous leaf extract of this plant may possess anti-diarrhoeal properties and validates its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea.

Keywords: Antidiarrhoea, castor-oil, gastrointestinal motility, albino rats, Anacardium occidentale.