Antidiarrheal Activity of the Ethyl Acetate Extract of Morindamorindoides in Rats

Purpose: The objective of the study was to investigate the ethyl acetate extract of Morindamorindoides (Baker) Milne-Redh (Rubiaceae) (MM-EA) properties against experimental diarrheoa induced by castor oil in albino Wistar rats. Methods: The ethyl acetate extract of Morinda morindoides (250; 500; and 1000 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally to three groups of rats (five animals per group) in order to evaluate the activity of the extract against castor oil-induced diarrhea model in rat. Two other groups received normal saline (5mg/kg) and loperamide (5mg/kg) as positive control. The effect of the extract on intestinal transit and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) was assessed. Results: At oral doses of 250; 500; and 1000 mg/kg body weight; the plant extract showed pronounced and dose-dependent antidiarrheal activity. The protective role of the extract at 1000 mg/kg was comparable to that of the reference drug; loperamide (5mg/kg). The extract (1000 mg/kg) produced a decrease in intestinal transit comparable to atropine (5mg/kg); and significantly (p0.01) inhibited castor oil-induced enteropooling. No mortality and visible signs of general weakness were observed in the rats following the extract administration of up to a dose of 6000 mg/kg. Conclusion: The results showed that the extract of M. morindoides has a significant antidiarrheal activity which supports its use in traditional herbal medicine practice

Antibacterial Activity of Thonningia sanguinea against some Multi-Drug Resistant Strains of Salmonella enterica

Background : The emergence of strains of S.enterica with multiple drug resistance (MDR) is of great concern worldwide.The extracts of flowers of Thonningia sanguinea are used in traditional medicine in Ivory Coast to treat diarrhoeal diseases including salmonellosis. Previous studies had shown inhibition of the MDR strain Salmonella Enteritidis lysotype 6. Objectives: The present study focused to investigate the effect of the extract of the flowers of Thonningia sanguinea on some clinical MDR strains of Salmonella namely S.Tyhpi; S. Typhimurium; S. Hadar and a sensitive strain (S.Enteritidis). Methods : The antimicrobial parameters were determined by double dilution with agar slant method. This method led us to determine MIC; IC 50 and MBC. Results: The MDR strain of S.Typhimurium presented the highest MIC (2.5 mg/ml) whereas the other two MDR strains (S.Hadar; S.Typhi) and the sensitive one (S.Enteritidis) had the same MIC (1.25 mg/ml). The four strains presented the same MBC (2.5 mg/ml). The MDR strain of S.Typhi is the most susceptible strain to the aqueous extract of the flowers of Thonningia sanguinea according to The IC 50 values. Conclusions: The aqueous extract of Thonningia sanguinea can provide an alternative therapy for the treatment of salmonellosis; mainly for typhoid fever caused by MDR strains of S Typhi. The extract also inhibits S.Hadar a MDR emerging strain in Ivory Coast