Antidiarrheal Activity of Amaranthus spinosus L. Leaf Extract in Castor Oil Induced Diarrhea and Gastrointestinal Motility Models in Mice
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v22n2.4859Keywords:
Antidiarrheal, Amaranthus spinosus L., oleum ricini, defecationAbstract
Diarrhea is a common digestive disorder characterized by frequent bowel movements and a shift in stool consistency toward a more liquid form. Amaranthus spinosus L., a plant known to contain tannins and flavonoids, is believed to have antidiarrheal potential due to its astringent properties, which may help reduce intestinal secretions. This study explored the antidiarrheal effect of the ethanolic extract of A.spinosus leaves in male mice. A total of 25 mice were divided into five groups: a negative control group receiving 0.5% CMC-Na suspension, a positive control group treated with Loperamide HCl (0.52 mg/kg BW), and three test groups receiving the A.spinosus extract at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg BW. Diarrhea was induced using castor oil (oleum ricini), and observations were made every 30 minutes over six hours, focusing on the onset of diarrhea, stool consistency, frequency of defecation, and overall duration of symptoms. The results showed that all doses of the extract had a measurable antidiarrheal effect, with higher doses producing stronger responses. Mice treated with the highest dose (100 mg/kg BW) experienced a delayed onset of diarrhea, fewer episodes, faster normalization of stool consistency, and shorter symptom duration. Statistically, the 100 mg/kg BW dose showed a significant improvement (p < 0.05) compared to the Loperamide HCl treated group in delaying diarrhea onset and reducing defecation frequency. These findings support the potential use of A.spinosus leaf extract as a natural antidiarrheal agent, which may be associated with the presence of tannins and flavonoids identified through phytochemical screening. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of A.spinosus leaves demonstrated promising antidiarrheal activity in mice, especially at higher doses.
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