Antidiarrhoeal activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of mangifera indica linn stem bark (anarcadiaceae) in wistar rats

Abstract

Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of infant mortality in develop ing country. It has been reported that Mangifera indica (Mi) is used as an antidiarrhoeal agent in traditional medicine. This study was to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Mi Linn stem bark. The extracts were tested in vivo at doses of 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg on the eff ects of Escherichia coli, castor oil, misoprostol and charcoal meal in rats. In vivo, aque ous extract at doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg and methanolic ex tract at dose of 500 mg/kg resulted in a signifi cant decrease (p < 0.001) in the bacterial load in rats faeces. A signifi cant reduction (p < 0.001) of diarrhoeal parameters was observed with both ex tracts after castor oil administration. The gut motility was signifi - cantly (p < 0.05) reduced with all doses of methanolic extract. His topathological analysis revealed few abnormalities in structure and morphology of the ileum after treatment of rats with aqueous and methanolic extract This study showed that Mi possesses antidiar rheic properties and attest its usefulness in traditional treatment of gastrointestinal infection.