Antidiarrhoeal Studies of Methanol Leaf Extract of Cassia sieberiana Dc in Wistar Albino Rats

Aim: This study was aimed at evaluating the antidiarrhoeal effect methanol leaf extract of Cassia sieberiana.

Methodology: The leaf extract of Cassia sieberiana was obtained by extraction using methanol and subjected to phytochemical screening using standard methods. The anti-diarrhoeal effect of methanol leaf extract of Cassia sieberiana DC was investigated in Wistar Albino rats.

Results: The result of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, steroids, flavonoids and anthraquinoes. The methanol extract significantly (P<.05) reduced the number of unformed faeces in castor oil induced diarrhoea in the rats. It also significantly (P<.05) reduced the gastrointestinal transit of activated charcoal as well as enteropooling in the rats used for the experiment was significantly reduced (P<.05) in the groups treated with 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, the methanol leaf extract of Cassia sieberiana possess anti-diarrheal activity and therefore validates its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea.