EVALUATION OF THE ANTIDIARRHOEAL ACTIVITY OF A POLY HERBAL FORMULATION IN MICE, USING CHARCOAL MEAL

ABSTRACT

Diarrhoea is a prevalent gastrointestinal infection in the Tropical region of the world. Traditional medicine has proven to be an effective way of combating the disease. For many centuries, single herbs have been used to treat diarrhoea. Though they provided relief, they had high side effects.  Polyherbal formulations have greater therapeutic range, due to the synergetic effect it has. It is also more effective at low dosages, and has reduced side effects. The polyherbal formulation used in this study comprised of Musa paradisiaca, Zingiber officinale, Garcinia kola, and Cymbopogon citratus. These plants are widely used in treating gastrointestinal diseases conventionally. The hot water extract of these plants was used in the experiment. The antidiarrhoeal effects of the extract was evaluated by administering charcoal as a meal, and using the castor oil-induced model at different dosages (25mg/kg, 50mg/kg, and 100mg/kg),based on the weight of the experimental animals. The extractreduced the speed at which food and fluids passed through the intestines, facilitating increased absorption time, reducing the frequency and urgency of bowel movement, thereby reducing diarrhoea. Top of FormThe most effective dosage was 50 mg/kg against the charcoal meal-induced diarrhoea. Further work would be required to ascertain the bioactive components of the polyherbal formulation.