ANTI-DIARRHOEAL PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS-METHANOL LEAVES EXTRACT OF NAPOLEONA IMPERIALIS ON ALBINO WISTAR RATS
IFEANYI HARFORD EZE1, UGOCHI OLIVIA NJOKU2, OBINNA MARTINS OGUGUOFOR3, *OBIORA EMMANUEL ABONYI3
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, State University of Medical and Applied Sciences Igbo-Eno, Enugu State
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Enugu State University College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 17(1): 86-95 ; 2025
ABSTRACT
Electrolyte balance is key to haemostatic balance. Dehydration is fatal, hence the need to control diarrhoea. This study is aimed at examining the anti-diarrhoeal properties of aqueous methanol fraction of Napoleona imperialis leaves on diarrhoeal induced in albino Wistar rats with the view to authenticating the claim of its antidiarrhoeal potency. Standard methods and procedures were followed in this experiment. Twenty albino Wistar rats were randomly grouped into five groups of four rats as follows: Group 1 Induction (castor oil 1ml per rat) only, Groups 2-5 (Induction + 5mg/kg bw loperamide, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bw Treatment) respectively. The sample demonstrated the presence of different bio-active compounds. The acute toxicity studies of Napoliona imperialis extract indicated no sign of toxicity up to 5000 mg/kg bw. In the defecation test, a significant (p˂0.05) reduction in the mean number of diarrhoeal faeces was noticed in the group administered with 150 mg/kg body weight and loperamide (5 mg/kg bw). The percentage inhibition of diarrhoeal faeces of standard and treatment at 5, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight were 75%, 87%, 56% and 30% respectively. In gastrointestinal transit test, the fractions showed a non-dose dependent decrease in the distance travelled by charcoal meal when compared to group 1 (control). Group 4 (300 mg/kg b.w) just like loperamide (group 2) showed a significant (p˂0.05) decrease in the distance travelled by charcoal meal compared to group 1. The standard control group, the treated groups, 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg showed 27.32%, 10.40%, 23.56% and 17.77% inhibitions in the distance travelled by charcoal meal, respectively compared to the control (group 1). In gastro-enteropooling studies, the fraction showed a non-significant (p > 0.05) decrease in the weight and volume of the intestinal content in a non-dose dependent manner when compared to the control (group 1). Napoleona imperialis has anti-diarrhoeal activity. The study, therefore validates the ethnopharmacological claim of the plant’s anti-diarrhoeal potency.
Keywords: Diarrhoea, Albino Wistar rats, Napoleona imperialis, Enteropooling, Castor oil
Email of correspondence: obiora.abonyi@esut.edu.ng;
https://doi.org/10.59493/ajopred/2025.1.10 ISSN: 0794-800X (print); 1596-2431 (online)