Antidiarrhea Property of Ethanol Extract of Siam Weed (Chromolena Odorata) on Castor Oil Induced Diarrheal Rats

ABSTRACT

Chromolaena odorata is a plant commonly used traditionally to treat ailments including diarrhea in Nigeria. The ethanol leaf extract of Chromolena odorata was studied for its anti-diarrheal activity using castor oil-induced diarrhea rats. This study is designed to scientifically evaluate the usefulness of Chromolena odorata as anti-diarrhoeic agent in traditional medicine and also to evaluate the safety and optimal dosage for management of diarrhea using castor oil-induced diarrheal rats. The 25 rats used were divided into five groups of 5 rats each. Group A (normal control) was given normal ration and water only. Group B (untreated with extract) was administered 5mg/kg of standard drug – Loperamide. Group C, Group D and Group E were treated with 50mg/kg, 100mg/kg, and 200mg/kg body weight of the extract. The extract showed a non dose-dependent protection against castor oil-induced diarrhea at the tested doses (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weights). It was observed that the protection offered by pretreatment with the ethanol leaf extract of Chromolena odorata was significant (p<0.05) with regards to reductions in the number of wet feaces, total weight of faecal output and time of onset of diarrhea. The effects were statistically comparable to that achieved with 5mg/kg of Loperamide, a known anti-diarrheic drug. The results indicate that the ethanol leaf extract of Chromolena odorata is safe for consumers and possesses anti-diarrheal activity.