ABSTRACT
Diarrhea results from an imbalance between the absorptive and secretary mechanisms in the intestinal tract, accompanied by watery bowel movement resulting in excess fluid and electrolytes in faeces. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of chloroform-ethanol extracts of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) kernel at the dose of 21 mg/kg and 84 mg/kg body weight on electrolyte imbalance in castor oil induced diarrheal rats. Acute toxicity and lethality (LD50) and phytochemical constituents of the extracts where also evaluated. The results showed the extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced the concentration of sodium and potassium ion in the intestinal solution compared to the control animals induced with castor oil only. The results of the qualitative phytochemical analysis showed that the chloroform-ethanol extract (ethanol, chloroform and middle layers) tested positively to flavonoids, alkaloids saponin, reducing sugars, glycosides and steroids while, chloroform layer and middle layer tested positive to fat and oil. Acute toxicity and lethality studies on chloroform-ethanol extracts revealed an oral LD50 equal to or more than 5000mg/kg body weight in mice. These results showed that kernels of A. occidentale possess anti-diarrheal properties through inhibition reduction of the intestinal electrolyte secretion which can substantiate its use in the treatment of diarrhea in traditional medicine.