Diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The aim of this work was therefore to evaluate the antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activities ofthe aqueous and methanol extract of the root and leaf of S. abyssinica.
Antidiarrheal activities were studied in mice using castor oil-induced diarrhea at doses of 25, 50,100, and 200 mg/kg body weight. The extracts significantly prolonged the time of diarrheal induction, increased diarrhea free time, reduced the frequency of diarrhea episodes, decreased the weight of stool, and decreased general diarrheal score in a dose dependent way. With dose of 200 mg/kg the extracts produced higher in-vivo antidiarrheal index (ADI) than the the standard loperamide. In Entropooling test in mice the extract significantly (p < 0.01) inhibited intestinal fluid accumulations of mice in a dose dependent fashion. The antispasmodic activity studies were performed as in vitro and in vivo models. The in-vitro antispasmodic activity studies were performed on isolated GPI. The methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaf showed significant and concentration dependent inhibition of acetylcholine induced contraction of isolated GPI. The extracts depressed Emax of Ach, and decreased PD2 value of the Ach. The Emax of Ach at conc of 10-3M is decreased (from100 for the control group) by SALM with concentration of 200 and 100 ug/ml to 45.6±2.13 and 73.2±3.04 respectively,whereas by SALA with 200 and 100 ug/ml to 62.0±2.98 and 74.8±2.46 respectively. In the in vivo antispasmodic activity test, the extract significantly decreased the peristaltic index (PI). In normal transit test, the extracts produced 100% suppression of normal peristalsis. However in castor oil induced transit with dose of 200 mg/kg the peristaltic index (PI) of SALM, SALA, SARM and SARA was 26.67, 36.85, 22.00 and 40.65 respectively.
The result of this study indicated that the plant extract possesses antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activities and proves the fact that this plant is used in traditional medicine for treatment of diarrhea, stomachache and abdominal cramp.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Overview of diarrhea
1.2 Normal Physiology
1.2.1 Absorption, Secretion and GI motility
1.2.2 Regulation of absorption, secretion and GI motility
1.3 Pathophysiology of diarrhea
1.3.1 General aspect
1.3.2 Pathophysiology of chronic diarrhea
1.4 Principles of diarrhea management
1.5 Antimotility, antisecretory and antispasmodic agents
1.6 Herbal remedies for GI motility disorders and use of S. abyssinica
2 Objectives of the study
2.1 General objective
2.2 Specific objectives
3. Materials and Methods
3.1 Drugs and chemicals
3.2 Plant material
3.3 Extraction of Plant material
3.4 Animal preparation and dosing
3.5 Castor oil induced diarrheal model
3.6 In vivo GI motility test
3.7 Enteropooling test
3.8 In vitro antispasmodic test
3.9 Statistical analysis
4 Results
4.1 Effect of extract on castor oil induced diarrheal model in mice
4.2 Effect of the extract on GI motility
4.3 Effect of the extract on intestinal fluid accumulation
4.4 In-vitro antispasmodic activities of the extract
5 Discussion
6 Conclusion and Recommendation
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this thesis is to scientifically evaluate and validate the antidiarrheal and antispasmodic effects of the aqueous and methanol extracts derived from the leaves and roots of the plant Stephania abyssinica, which is commonly utilized in Ethiopian traditional medicine for treating gastrointestinal disorders.
- Investigation of antidiarrheal efficacy using castor oil-induced diarrhea models.
- Assessment of in-vivo antispasmodic activity through GI motility and transit tests.
- Evaluation of in-vitro spasmolytic effects on isolated guinea-pig ileum.
- Determination of antisecretory potential via enteropooling assays.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Overview of diarrhea
Diarrhea is an increased frequency and decreased consistency of fecal discharge as compared with an individual's normal bowel pattern. Frequency and consistency are variable within and between individuals. For example, some individuals defecate as many as 3 times a day, while others defecate only 2 or 3 times per week (Barbara, 2006).
Diarrhea is loosely defined as passage of abnormally liquid or unformed stools at an increased frequency. For adults on a typical Western diet, stool weight >200 g/d can generally be considered diarrheal. Because of the fundamental importance of duration to diagnostic considerations, diarrhea may be further defined as acute if <2 weeks, persistent if 2 to 4 weeks, and chronic if >4 weeks in duration. Conditions, usually associated with the passage of stool totaling <200 gram/day, must be distinguished from diarrhea, as diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms differ (David and Camiller, 2004; Barbara, 2006).
Diarrhea is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among children in developing countries and it is a major health problem in children under 5 years (Gilani et al., 2005). The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 3–5 billion cases occur each year (1 billion in children less than 5 years old) and about 5 million deaths are due to diarrhea (2.5 million in children, less than 5 years old) (Estrada-Soto et al., 2007).
From a mechanistic perspective, diarrhea can be caused by an increased osmotic load within the intestine resulting in retention of water within the lumen; excessive secretion of electrolytes and water into the intestinal lumen; exudation of protein and fluid from the mucosa and altered intestinal motility resulting in rapid transit and decreased fluid absorption. In most instances, multiple processes are affected simultaneously leading to a net increase in stool volume and weight accompanied by increase in fractional water content (Pasricha, 2006).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides a comprehensive overview of diarrhea physiology, pathophysiology, current management strategies, and the traditional medicinal use of Stephania abyssinica.
2 Objectives of the study: Defines the general and specific research goals focused on verifying the pharmacological properties of the plant extracts.
3. Materials and Methods: Details the experimental procedures including plant collection, extraction, pharmacological models (castor oil, enteropooling), and statistical analysis.
4 Results: Presents the empirical findings on the antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, and antisecretory effects of the leaf and root extracts.
5 Discussion: Analyzes the experimental results, proposing potential mechanisms such as antimotility and antisecretory effects, and discusses the role of plant constituents like flavonoids and alkaloids.
6 Conclusion and Recommendation: Summarizes the findings and provides suggestions for future research, including phytochemical profiling and mechanistic elucidation.
Keywords
Stephania abyssinica, antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, antienteropooling, aqueous extract, methanol extract, castor oil-induced diarrhea, GI motility, intestinal transit, guinea-pig ileum, spasmolytic, pharmacognosy, traditional medicine, Ethiopia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on evaluating the medicinal properties of Stephania abyssinica to validate its traditional use for treating diarrhea, stomachaches, and abdominal cramps in Ethiopia.
What are the central thematic areas of the study?
The study covers gastrointestinal physiology, the pathophysiology of various types of diarrhea, the pharmacology of antidiarrheal and antispasmodic agents, and botanical drug research.
What is the main goal or research question?
The main goal is to determine if the aqueous and methanol extracts of Stephania abyssinica (leaf and root) possess significant antidiarrheal and antispasmodic activities through experimental models.
What scientific methods were employed?
The study utilized in-vivo models (castor oil-induced diarrhea, charcoal meal transit, enteropooling in mice) and an in-vitro model using isolated guinea-pig ileum to study spasmolytic activity.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical background of gastrointestinal motility, the methodology for extract preparation and testing, and the presentation/discussion of the resulting biological data.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The study is characterized by keywords such as Stephania abyssinica, antidiarrheal, antispasmodic, GI motility, castor oil-induced diarrhea, and ethnopharmacology.
How do the results compare with the reference drug loperamide?
The findings indicate that at a dose of 200 mg/kg, the plant extracts showed comparable or even higher antidiarrheal efficacy than the reference drug loperamide.
What is the proposed mechanism for the observed antispasmodic activity?
The researchers suggest that the extracts act as competitive and non-competitive antagonists to acetylcholine, likely due to the presence of flavonoids and isoquinoline alkaloids in the plant.
Why are these extracts contraindicated in infectious diarrhea?
The study cautions that because the extracts significantly suppress GI motility and transit, they might delay the elimination of invasive pathogens, potentially increasing the risk of toxic megacolon.
- Citar trabajo
- Tatek Yesigat (Autor), 2010, How Can Traditional Ethopian Medicine Help Against Diarrhea? Antidiarrheal and Antispasmodic Avtivities of Stephania Abyssinica (Minispermaseae), Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/511887
