Background: “Diarra”, a traditional herbal remedy made from five (5) medicinal plants, might be endowed with anti-diarrhoeal properties according to its owner. However, scientific evidence of its safety, tolerabilit...Background: “Diarra”, a traditional herbal remedy made from five (5) medicinal plants, might be endowed with anti-diarrhoeal properties according to its owner. However, scientific evidence of its safety, tolerability and activity has not been established. Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and anti-diarrhoeal activity of “Diarra” in experimental rats. Materials and Methods: Safety was assessed by acute (OECD 423) and sub-acute (OECD 407) toxicity studies at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. Clinical tolerability was assessed for 28 days. On day 29, a blood sample was taken to evaluate biological tolerability. The anti-diarrhoeal activity was investigated in a castor oil-induced diarrhoea model. Rats were given the remedy at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg and then castor oil 1 hour later. They were observed for 4 hours and diarrhoeal stools were collected. The Percentage of diarrhoeal inhibition was calculated. Results: A single dose of “Diarra” at a dose of 2000 mg/kg did not induce any lethality, behavioural or weight change in rats for 14 days. When administered once daily for 28 days, “Diarra” did not cause lethality or significant behavioural disorders or significant weight loss in rats. No biological disorders were observed. The treatment of rats with “Diarra” at doses of 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg in a single administration inhibited the occurrence of diarrhoeal stools. The respective percentages of inhibition were 60%, 50% and 62%, similar to those of loperamide at a dose of 2 mg/kg (68%). Conclusion: “Diarra” has an anti-diarrheal activity in rats. It is also safe to use this remedy as such.展开更多
Alchornea cordifolia is a medicinal plant, whose ethanolic and methanolic extracts have shown antioxidant activity which could confer hepatoprotective effect, knowing that liver cells are attacked by free radicals. Th...Alchornea cordifolia is a medicinal plant, whose ethanolic and methanolic extracts have shown antioxidant activity which could confer hepatoprotective effect, knowing that liver cells are attacked by free radicals. The hepatoprotective effect of these extracts has been demonstrated in models of hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol high doses in animals. However, anti-tubercular drugs at the usual dose present hepatotoxicity risk. Could Alchornea cordifolia help to limit hepatotoxicity induced by anti-tubercular drugs? This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and the hepatoprotective effect of an aqueous extract of A. cordifolia leaves (AEAC). The antioxidant activity of A. cordifolia leaves was studied in vitro by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals scavenging assay and by the iron reduction ability. A phytochemical screening was carried out to identify the chemical groups that could be responsible for this activity. The hepatoprotective effect was demonstrated in a model of hepatotoxicity induced by isoniazid and rifampicin in rats. Two hours after induction of hepatotoxicity, the animals were orally administered the AEAC at 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg for 10 consecutive days. A blood sample was taken on the 11th day for the evaluation of transaminases, markers of hepatic cytolysis. A totally of 96 rats were used in this study. AEAC showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. Administrated alone, aqueous extract of A. cordifolia leaves didn’t modificate the transaminases, isoniazid and the isoniazid + rifampicin combination resulted in increasing transaminases (ALT and AST) by more than 48%. AEAC at 800 mg/kg reduced AST and ALT levels by more than 45%. AEAC at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg decreased ALT more than 40%. Knowing that antioxidant activity protects liver, the AEAC may by its antioxidant activity, contribute to protect against the hepatotoxicity induced by anti-tubercular drugs in the rat.展开更多
文摘Background: “Diarra”, a traditional herbal remedy made from five (5) medicinal plants, might be endowed with anti-diarrhoeal properties according to its owner. However, scientific evidence of its safety, tolerability and activity has not been established. Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and anti-diarrhoeal activity of “Diarra” in experimental rats. Materials and Methods: Safety was assessed by acute (OECD 423) and sub-acute (OECD 407) toxicity studies at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. Clinical tolerability was assessed for 28 days. On day 29, a blood sample was taken to evaluate biological tolerability. The anti-diarrhoeal activity was investigated in a castor oil-induced diarrhoea model. Rats were given the remedy at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg and then castor oil 1 hour later. They were observed for 4 hours and diarrhoeal stools were collected. The Percentage of diarrhoeal inhibition was calculated. Results: A single dose of “Diarra” at a dose of 2000 mg/kg did not induce any lethality, behavioural or weight change in rats for 14 days. When administered once daily for 28 days, “Diarra” did not cause lethality or significant behavioural disorders or significant weight loss in rats. No biological disorders were observed. The treatment of rats with “Diarra” at doses of 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg in a single administration inhibited the occurrence of diarrhoeal stools. The respective percentages of inhibition were 60%, 50% and 62%, similar to those of loperamide at a dose of 2 mg/kg (68%). Conclusion: “Diarra” has an anti-diarrheal activity in rats. It is also safe to use this remedy as such.
文摘Alchornea cordifolia is a medicinal plant, whose ethanolic and methanolic extracts have shown antioxidant activity which could confer hepatoprotective effect, knowing that liver cells are attacked by free radicals. The hepatoprotective effect of these extracts has been demonstrated in models of hepatotoxicity induced by paracetamol high doses in animals. However, anti-tubercular drugs at the usual dose present hepatotoxicity risk. Could Alchornea cordifolia help to limit hepatotoxicity induced by anti-tubercular drugs? This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity and the hepatoprotective effect of an aqueous extract of A. cordifolia leaves (AEAC). The antioxidant activity of A. cordifolia leaves was studied in vitro by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals scavenging assay and by the iron reduction ability. A phytochemical screening was carried out to identify the chemical groups that could be responsible for this activity. The hepatoprotective effect was demonstrated in a model of hepatotoxicity induced by isoniazid and rifampicin in rats. Two hours after induction of hepatotoxicity, the animals were orally administered the AEAC at 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg for 10 consecutive days. A blood sample was taken on the 11th day for the evaluation of transaminases, markers of hepatic cytolysis. A totally of 96 rats were used in this study. AEAC showed dose-dependent antioxidant activity. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. Administrated alone, aqueous extract of A. cordifolia leaves didn’t modificate the transaminases, isoniazid and the isoniazid + rifampicin combination resulted in increasing transaminases (ALT and AST) by more than 48%. AEAC at 800 mg/kg reduced AST and ALT levels by more than 45%. AEAC at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg decreased ALT more than 40%. Knowing that antioxidant activity protects liver, the AEAC may by its antioxidant activity, contribute to protect against the hepatotoxicity induced by anti-tubercular drugs in the rat.
