Anti-diarrheal Potential of Ethanolic Crude Extract of Gouania longipetala Leaves in Rats

Abstract

This study explored the anti-diarrheal properties of Gouania longipetala crude extract in a rat model, aiming to provide scientific validation for its traditional use as a remedy for diarrhea. The extract was evaluated using different doses (200, 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg body weight) orally for anti-diarrhea activity in albino rats induced for diarrhea with castor oil, charcoal meal transit time leading to enteropooling. The activities of the crude extract at different doses of up to 800 mg/kg body weight were compared with that of the standard drug, loperamide (0.5 mg/kg). Data were analyzed using, statistical package for the Social Sciences, Version 18.0. In the in vivo anti-diarrhea studies, the crude extract at all doses used showed significant (P<0.05) antidiarrheal activity, evidenced by delay in the onset of diarrhea of up to 56.00±4.36 mins, compared with the control 58.60±3.65. The extract also significantly decreased the distance travelled by the charcoal meal in a dose-dependent manner, with the highest activity of 59.4±2.70^b observed for 800 mg/kg of the extract. This favorably compared with that of loperamide with 50.2±1.64^a decrease. These results represent 33.17±1.88^e % and 33.17±2.41^f % inhibitions respectively (P>0.05). The enteropooling study showed reduction in the intraluminal fluid accumulation in all groups in a dose-dependent manner, with highest reduction observed in the group treated with 800 mg/kg b.w. of the extract (from 13.30±1.69^dg to 5.90±1.49^a,b reduction), compared with loperamide (5.18±1.54^a reduction). The findings of this study demonstrate that Gouania longipetala exhibits significant anti-diarrheal activity (P<0.05), validating its traditional use and suggesting its potential as a natural source for the development of novel anti-diarrheal agents.