In vivo anti-diarrhoeal effect of methanolic stem bark ...

Sky Journal of Biochemistry Research Vol. 2(2), pp. 5 - 8, March, 2013
Available online http://www.skyjournals.org/SJBR
©2013 Sky Journals

Full Length Research Paper

In vivo anti-diarrhoeal effect of methanolic stem bark
extract of Faidherbia albida

Mahmoud S. J, Zailani H. A and Wurochekke A. U*

Biochemistry Department, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria.

Accepted 18 March, 2013

The In vivo anti-diarrhoeal effect of methanolic stem bark extract of Faidherbia albida was investigated. Column
chromatography of the crude methanolic extract eluted with benzene/methanol, acetic acid/methanol and ethyl
acetate/methanol gave three fractions designated: I, II and III respectively. In our previous study on the
separated fractions, fraction III of the crude methanolic stem bark extract of F. albida showed highest
antimicrobial activity against Salmonella typhi, E. coli and Shigella species. The phytochemical analysis of the
crude methanolic stem bark extract of F. albida and fraction III (the most active fraction of the crude extract)
revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as tannins, saponins and alkaloids. Different
concentrations of the extract were used for the In vivo analysis and the result revealed that, it was at 500 mg/kg
body weight of the crude methanolic stem bark extract of F. albida that was able to maintain maximal inhibition,
while 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of fraction III given to the rats were able to maintain maximal inhibition of
diarrhoea throughout the period of the study. These results confirmed the basis of using the stem bark of F.
albida by traditional healers for treating diseases like diarrhoea.

Key words: Faidherbia albida, In vivo anti-diarrhoeal effect, phytochemical analysis.

INTRODUCTION infections, sterility, digestive problems, dysentery,
backache, malaria, fever, heart and circulatory problems,
A medicinal plant is any plant which contains substance dental infections and deafness (Fagg and Barnes, 1990).
that can be used for therapeutic purpose and in which
one or more of its organs or substances are precursors An infusion or decoction of the plant is made with other
for the synthesis of useful drugs (WHO, 1977). A plant plants in Senegal to treat “diangaracayor”, an inclusive
becomes a medicinal plant only when its biological term covering many diseases (Tijani et al., 2008). In
activity has been ethnobotanically reported or Tanganyika, South-Africa, a decoction of the plant is
scientifically established (Elujoba, 1997). taken for diarrhoea and as anti-emetic in fever (Wickens,
1969). The bark in decoction is used to cleanse new
Faidherbia albida belong to the family Mimosaceae and wounds, having an action akin to that of potassium
is widely used in folk medicine in Africa. The plant is a permanganate, in the treatment of kidney pains, and
large tree, 8 - 15 m high in Senegal (Dalziel, 1937) and mixed with other drugs for madness (Tijani et al., 2008).
up to 25 m in Nigeria (Keay et al., 1964). The common In Nigeria, infusion (tea) of the plants is taken for fever,
names of the plant include winter thorn and apple-ring cough and to assist in child birth (Singha, 1965). The
acacia. The Hausa people of Northern Nigeria call it Fulanis in Northern Nigeria use it for treatment of chest
“Gawo” while in Fulfulde it is called “Chaski”. Contrary to pain (Jackson, 1973).
all other native “acacias”, albida sheds its leaves during
rainy season and keeps them throughout the dry season. Diarrhoea is one of the main causes of high mortality
rate in developing countries where over five million
Barks and roots of the plant, whether alone or mixed children under the age of five die annually from severe
with other components are common ingredients of diarrhoeal diseases (WHO, 1996). Diarrhoea is mostly
traditional medicinal preparation for external or internal
usage. These preparations are prescribed for respiratory common in over populated areas couple with poor

*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected]. hygiene. It is a major contributor to malnutrition and
causes rapid dehydration in infant and elderly people,
which could lead to death if not treated (WHO, 1995).

6 Sky J. Biochem. Res.

Traditional healers in most of the developing countries Eluted with benzene/methanol (9:1), and acetic
patronise medicinal plants in the treatment of diarrhoea acid/methanol (1:1) ethylacetate/methanol (19:1). The
and other ailments without any scientific understanding of fractions were collected separately, concentrated under
their efficacy. pressure using rotary evaporator. The fractions were
designated: I, II, and III. (NOK et al., 1993).
This work was therefore, designed to evaluate the In
vivo anti-diarrhoeal effect of methanolic stem bark extract Animal grouping and extract administration
of F. albida in order to scientifically appraise the
traditional uses of the plant. The In vivo activity was evaluated using the castor oil-
induced diarrhoea model in rats (Awouter et al., 1978).
MATERIALS AND METHODS The rats were randomly grouped into eight (8) groups
with five (5) rats per group. The rats were fasted for 24 h
Plant material prior to the experiment. Groups 1 and 2 were given
normal saline 1ml/kg and 16 mg aspirin/kg orally, which
The stem bark of F. albida was collected around Yolde served as controls. Groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated with
Pate Ward in Yola South Local Government Adamawa 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the crude
State, in June 2012. It was identified and authenticated at methanolic stem bark extract of F. albida respectively;
the Department of Plant Sciences, Modibbo Adama while groups 6, 7 and 8 were given 125, 250 and 500
University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State. mg/Kg body weight of the most active fraction of the
crude extract (Fraction III). One (1) hour after the
Experimental animals treatment, rats in all groups were given 1ml castor
oil/100g body weight orally. The rats in each group were
Forty (40) apparently healthy white albino rats of both placed singly in cages having adsorbent paper beneath
sexes were used for the study. The rats were obtained and examined for the presence and frequency of wet
from National Veterinary Research Institute Vom, Jos, stool every hour for four (4) hours. Absence or delay in
Plateau State. The rats were allowed to acclimatize to production of watery stool was regarded as protective or
laboratory conditions for about two weeks before the positive.
commencement of the experiment. They were fed with
animal feed obtained from Vital Feeds Ltd and were RESULTS
given tap water ad libitum.
Phytochemical analysis
Extract preparation
The phytochemical analysis of the crude methanolic stem
The stem bark of F. albida was removed from the plant, bark extract of F. albida and the most active fraction of
washed and air-dry for 5 days at a room temperature. It the extract revealed the presence of tannins, saponins
was then pounded using pestle and mortar. The powder and alkaloids (Table 1).
(150 g) was macerated in methanol (1000 ml) and left
overnight. The mixture was filtered and evaporated using In vivo analysis
rotary evaporator.
The In vivo analysis of both the crude methanolic stem
Phytochemical analysis bark extract of F. albida and the most active fraction of
the crude extract exhibited anti -diarrhoeal effect with 500
Chemical tests were conducted on the crude methanolic mg/kg body weight of the crude maintaining maximal
stem bark extract of F. albida using standard procedures inhibition and while 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of
to identify the constituents as described by Trease and the most active fraction maintaining maximal inhibition
Evans (1989) and Sofowora (1993). throughout the period of the study (Tables 2 and 3).

Column chromatography Discussion

Slurry was prepared by dissolving 30 g silica gel in 100ml The phytochemical analysis of the crude methanolic
methanol: water (1:1) and packed in a column (1.5 x 30 extract of stem bark of F. albida and the most active
cm). The column was loaded with 15 ml of the crude fraction of the crude (Fraction III) revealed the presence
methanolic stem bark extract of F. albida and sequentially of tannins, saponins and alkaloids (Table 1), this findings

Mahmoud et al. 7

Table 1. Phytochemical Analysis of the crude methanolic stem bark extract of F.
albidaand the most active fraction of the crude extract (Fraction III).

Crude extract ALK ANT GLY SAP FLV TAN
Fraction III + _ _ + _ +
+ _ _ + _ +

+ = Present, - = Absent
ALK = Alkaloids, ANT = Anthraquinones, GLY = Glycosides,
SAP = Saponins, FLV = Flavonoids, TAN = Tanins.

Table 2. In vivo effect of crude methanolic stem bark extract of F. albida in rats.

Time(h)

Group Treatment Dose(mg/kg) 1 23 4
0(0%)
1 Normal Saline - 0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 4(80%)
3(60%)
2 Aspirin 16 5(100%) 5(100%) 4(80%) 5(100%)
5(100%)
3 Extract 125 0(0%) 0(0%) 2(40%)

4 Extract 250 4(80%) 5(100%) 5(100%)

5 Extract 500 5(100%) 5(100%) 5(100%)

Values are expressed as percentage inhibition, n = 5

Table 3. In vivo effect of fraction III in rats.

Time (h)

Group Treatment Dose(mg/kg) 1 23 4
0(0%)
1 Normal Saline - 0(0%) 0(0%) 0(0%) 4(80%)
4(80%)
2 Aspirin 16mg 5(100%) 5(100%) 4(80%) 5(100%)
5(100%)
3 Extract 125 0(0%) 1(20%) 2(40%)

4 Extract 250 5(100%) 5(100%) 5(100%)

5 Extract 500 5(100%) 5(100%) 5(100%)

Values are expressed as percentage inhibition, n = 5

is in agreement with that of Tijani et al. (2008) but in weight that produced maximal inhibition using the
contrast with that of Kubmarawa et al. (2007) who stated aqueous stem bark extract of F. albida, but the most
that none of these bioactive components are present in active fraction of the crude methanolic stem bark extract
the stem bark. The observed difference could be due to of F. albida (fraction III)is in agreement with the view of
environmental changes where the plants were collected Tijani et al. (2008) that 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body
or seasonal changes that could have altered the plant weight produced maximal inhibition (Tables 2 and 3).The
components. It could also have been as a result of observed differences may be due to the different solvents
changes during extraction and / or storage. used because according to the findings of Gunner (1991)
different solvent extracts of some plants may exhibit
The In vivo analysis of the crude methanolic stem bark different pharmacological properties.
extract of F. albida revealed that at the concentration of
500 mg/kg body weight given to the rats maintained a The In vivo effect of the crude methanolic stem bark
maximal inhibition of diarrhoeal throughout the period of extract of F. albida and the most active fraction of the
the study and this is in contrast with the view of Tijani et extract were observed in rats using castor oil induced
al. (2008) who stated that it was at 250 mg/kg body diarrhoea model ( Awouter et al., 1978). Several

8 Sky J. Biochem. Res.

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