Evaluation of Anti-Diarrhoeal Activity of Different Bark Extracts of Faidherbia albida (Delile) A (Chav) in Albino Rats

Abstract

Diarrhoea is a major concern in the health sector as it is the second leading cause of death and
growth retardation in children under five years old, and is responsible for killing significant
number of children every year. Various drug treatments available are not readily accessible,
affordable and may have associated adverse or side effects, and in some cases resistance to
antimicrobial agents have developed. This research focuses on the antidiarrhoeal activity of the
aqueous and ethanol extracts of Faidherbia albida bark commonly used in herbal medicine in the
Northern part of Nigeria to treat diarrhoeal diseases. The phytochemical screening of the bark
extracts of Faidherbia albida revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids,
saponins and tannins. However, glycoside was not found in both extracts. Both extracts had
significant antidiarrhoeal effect. The ethanol extract was found to have higher antidiarrhoeal
activity when compared to the aqueous extract. The extracts of Faidherbia albida bark had dose
dependent activity in castor oil induced diarrhoea by significantly reducing the number of wet
faecal droppings and delayed time of onset of diarrhoea. The bark extracts of Faidherbia albida
was found to contain phytochemicals which may be responsible for the antidiarrhoeal activity
and this justifies the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
including diarrhoea.