Anti-diarrhoeal and ulcer-protective effects of the aqueous root extract of Guiera senegalensis in rodents

Abstract

The anti-diarrhoeal and ulcer-protective properties of the aqueous root extract of Guiera senegalensis, a popular herbal traditional medicine in Nigeria were investigated in rats and mice. Acute toxicity studies were also carried out. The intestinal transit in mice was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced and gastric emptying delayed. One hundred and Two hundred milligrams per kilogram (p.o.) of the extract elicited a greater anti-motility activity than 0.1 mg/kg of atropine. The extract exhibited ulcer-protective properties against ethanol-induced ulceration in rats with maximal anti-ulcer activity recorded at 100 mg/kg. Guiera senegalensis also exerted significant anti-enteropooling effects causing a dose-related inhibitory effect on castor oil-induced enteropooling in rats. A profound anti-diarrhoeal activity was observed when Guiera senegalensis was tested in diarrhoeic mice. The frequency of defaecation as well as the wetness of the faecal droppings was significantly reduced. Furthermore, the extract produced 100% inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice. The oral LD50 values obtained were > 5000 mg/kg in both mice and rats. The results support the folkloric applications of Guiera senegalensis for the treatment of diarrhoea and ulcer in Nigerian herbal traditional medicine.