Antidiarrhoeal Studies of Methanol Leaf Extract of Cassia sieberiana Dc in Wistar Albino Rats
Jude Nwaogu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
Ibrahim Babangida Abubakar
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
Esther Omolade Olaosebikan *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the antidiarrhoeal effect methanol leaf extract of Cassia sieberiana.
Methodology: The leaf extract of Cassia sieberiana was obtained by extraction using methanol and subjected to phytochemical screening using standard methods. The anti-diarrhoeal effect of methanol leaf extract of Cassia sieberiana DC was investigated in Wistar Albino rats.
Results: The result of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, flavonoids and anthraquinoes. The methanol extract significantly (P<.05) reduced the number of unformed faeces in castor oil induced diarrhoea in the rats. It also significantly (P<.05) reduced the gastrointestinal transit of activated charcoal as well as enteropooling in the rats used for the experiment was significantly reduced (P<.05) in the groups treated with 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, the methanol leaf extract of Cassia sieberiana possess anti-diarrheal activity and therefore validates its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea.
Keywords: Cassia sieberiana, enteropooling, castor oil, charcoal meal