Antidiarrhea Activity of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Ocimum gratissimum in Castor Oil-induced Diarrhea in Rats

Abstract

Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal disorder that is one of the causes of morbidity and mortality in both children and adults. Ocimum gratissimum has been used in traditional medicine as a household remedy for various diseases, including diabetes, biliary diseases, cough, wound healing, and diarrhea. This study investigated the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Ocimum gratissimum leaves in castor oil-induced diarrheal rats. The acute toxicity study was done using Lorke’s method. The antidiarrheal properties of the ethyl acetate fraction of O. gratissimum leaves were investigated using castor oil-induced diarrhea, intestinal motility, and enteropooling models in Wistar rats. The diarrhea untreated (negative control) group received water orally, the positive control group was given 3 mg/kg loperamide orally, the test groups were administered three dose levels (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) of the fractions. The results of LD50 showed that the plant is safe for therapeutic purposes. It was observed that the fractions showed no acute toxicity at a dose of 1.6 g/kg. The graded fractions delayed the onset of diarrhea and reduced fecal parameters significantly as compared with the negative control in a dose-dependent manner in the castor oil-induced diarrheal model. The charcoal meal test revealed that the fraction produced a significant anti-motility effect at all tested doses as compared with negative control. The result of the enteropooling test revealed that the graded fractions produced a significant decrease in the volume and weight of intestinal contents. The percentage inhibition of diarrhea in the fraction increased in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-diarrheal activity could be associated with the minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals present in this fraction. The results suggest that ethyl acetate fraction of O. gratissimum has antidiarrhea activity. The findings provide scientific support and validate the use of O. gratissimum leaves for the treatment of diarrhea.