Abstract

Victoria Nonyelum Umeh*, Ugochinyere Amarachukwu Olli and Jude Nnaemeka Okoyeh

ABSTRACT

Background: Traditionally, the seed extract of X. aethiopica is used as a spice for the prevention of food-induced diarrhea but there is no scientific data to support this claim. Method: The powdered seeds of X. aethiopica were cold macerated with ethanol and the filtrate dried. Phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity studies were carried out using the extract. The charcoal meal method and the castor oil (1 ml/kg body weight) induced diarrhea models were employed for the gastro intestinal track (GIT) inhibitory effects and anti-diarrheal studies respectively. Twenty five albino rats divided into five groups (n=5) were employed for each arm of the study. In each study, groups 1 and 2 served as negative and positive control having received 10 ml/kgbw normal saline and 2 mg/kgbw loperamide or 1mg/kgbw Atropine (for GIT inhibitory effect) per oral respectively. Groups 3 received 250 mg/kgbw and 4 was administered with 500 mg/kgbw of the extract. Agar well diffusion method was used for the anti-microbial study. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences using one way ANOVA and the difference between the mean values were considered statistically significant at p?0.05. Result: The extract exhibited LD50 that is greater than 5000 mg/kg. At 250 and 500 mg/kg doses, the seed extract caused a significant (p?0.05) increase in time of diarrhea onset, and significant (p?0.05) reduction in GIT motility when compared to control. The extract also displayed anti-microbial effect against the tested micro-organisms. Conclusion: The folkloric use of X. aethiopica seeds as antidiarrhea may therefore be justified.