EVALUATION OF ANTI-DIARRHEAL ACTIVITIES OF HYDROMETHANOLIC CRUDE EXTRACT AND SOLVENT FRACTIONS OF ACACIA SEYAL (FABACEAE) ROOTS IN MICE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Traditionally, the root of Acacia seyal is used for the treatment of diarrhea. However, its efficacy has not been scientifically evaluated. Thus, this study aimed to validate the antidiarrheal activity using hydromethanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of Acacia seyal roots in mice. Methods: In all models, mice were randomly assigned into five groups of six mice each, and group I (negative control) mice were received the vehicle, groups II, III, and IV mice were received 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract, respectively. Group V (positive control) mice were treated with loperamide 3 mg/kg for castor oil-induced diarrhea and enteropooling test. For the gastrointestinal motility test, the mice were received atropine sulfate 5 mg/kg. Statistical significance of differences of both the number and weight of wet and total feces, intestinal fluid accumulation, and distance traveled by a charcoal meal between groups were analyzed by IBM SPSS version- 26.0 using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's HSD post hoc multiple comparisons. Result: In this study, the crude extract and n-hexane fraction significantly delayed the onset of diarrhea, reduced both the weight and volume of intestinal contents as well as inhibited the intestinal transit of charcoal meal at all tested doses as compared to the vehicle-treated group (p<0.001). Similarly, the ethyl acetate fraction significantly (p<0.001) inhibited the weight of intestinal content at all tested doses as compared to the negative control. While the aqueous fraction statistically (p<0.01) prolonged the onset of diarrhea and inhibited gastrointestinal motility only at the tested dose of 400 mg/kg. Amongst solvent fractions, the n-hexane fraction achieved the highest anti- diarrheal index (106.51%). Conclusion: According to this study, the hydromethanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of Acacia seyal roots have promising antidiarrheal effects