Abstract

Ihekwereme C. P., *Bruce S. O., Orji C. E., Ibe C. I. and Iloh E. S.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The present study was performed to substantiate the traditional claim of the anti-diarrhoeal activity of aqueous leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Anacardium occidentale, in albino mice. Method: Acute toxicity study was determined. The dose levels 100, 200 and 400mg/kg of aqueous extract was tested in albino miceagainst castor-oil induced diarrhoea model and charcoal meal test/intestinal motility test. The symptoms observed were the consistency of faeces, onset of defecation and cumulative faecal weight in the castor oil-induced diarrhoea model, and the distance travelled by charcoal in the intestinal motility test. Results: The toxicological studies confirm that the aqueous leaf extracts of Ocimum gratissimum and Anacardium occidentale, in combined form, when administered, showed no mortality or any sign of toxicity at the dose level up to 5000mg/kg. A significant delay in the onset of defecation (p