INTRODUCTION:Diarrhoea is a condition of having three or more loose or liquid
stools per day (Kasper et al., 2005). It is a common cause of death in
Third World Countries and the second most known cause of children
deaths worldwide (Weber, 1996; WHO, 2009). The loss of fluid and
electrolytes through diarrhoea can cause dehydration and electrolyte
imbalances. In 2009, diarrhoea was estimated to have caused 1.1 million
deaths in people aged 5 years and over, and 1.5 million deaths in children
under the age of 5 years. Oral rehydration solutions are the treatment of
choice and have been estimated to have saved 50 million children in the
past 25 years (Wilson, 2005). Diarrhoea due to infection, may last a few
days or several weeks, as in persistent diarrhoea. Severe diarrhoea may be
life threatening due to fluid loss in watery diarrhoea, particularly in
infants and young children, the malnourished and people with impaired
immunity. The impact of repeated or persistent diarrhoea on nutrition and
the effect of malnutrition on susceptibility to infectious diarrhoea, can be
linked to a vicious cycle amongst children, especially in developing
countries. It is also associated with other infections such malaria and measles. Chemical irritation of the gastrointestinal tract or non-infectious
bowel disease can also result in diarrhoea (Kasper et al., 2005).
Diarrhoea is caused by a host of bacterial, viral and parasitic
organisms most of which can be spread by contaminated water. It is more
common where there is a shortage of clean water for drinking, cooking
and cleaning, and basic hygiene is important in prevention. Water
contaminated with human faeces, for example, from municipal sewage,
septic tanks and latrines is of special concern. Animal faeces also contain
micro-organisms that can cause diarrhoea. It can also spread from person
to person, aggravated by poor hygiene. Food is another major cause of
diarrhoea when it is prepared or stored in unhygienic conditions. Water
can contaminate food during irrigation, and fish and seafood from
polluted water may also contribute to the disease. Worldwide, around 1.1
billion people lack access to improved water and 2.4 billion people have
no basic sanitation. These will increase susceptibility to diarrhoea. AIM OF THE STUDY: Aim of the study is to screen the anti-diarrhoeal activity of
ethanolic leaf extract of kedrostis foetidissima in mice. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: Diarrhoea is common disease annually about 4 to 5 million
diarrhoeal deaths occur in the developing countries through out the
world (Senthil Nagaraj D et al., 2013). Now drug available in market for
diarrhoea has variety of side effect. So there is need for a continuing
search for effective anti-diarrhoeal drugs without side effect.
In recent years, the interest in plant-based medicine has increased
worldwide. kedrostis foetidissima have many therapeutic uses in the
practice of traditional medicine. This herb has been used to treat a
number of disorders including inflammation, malaria, fever, worms, pain,
diuresis, cancer, abortion, and various gastro-intestinal disorders. There is
no scientific evidence on the antidiarrheal activity of kedrostis
foetidissima. Hence, the present study was designed to evaluate the
claims of the native practitioners. SUMMARY: Diarrhoea accounts for more than 5-8 million deaths worldwide
each year in age less than 5 years especially in developing countries. To
combat this problem the world health organization has initiated a
diarrhoea disease control program to study traditional medicine practices
and other related aspects together with the evaluation of health education
and prevention approaches. Plants have been a valuable source of natural
product for maintaining human health for many years. About 80% of
individuals from developed countries receive traditional medicines
including compounds derived from medicinal plants. Such medicinal
plants can e exploited since it has been shown that they are important
sources of new chemical substances with potential therapeutic effects.
Kedrostis foetidissima belonging to the family, Curcubitaceae,
traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhoea in children. So far no
scientific evidence available for its antidiarrhoeal potential, so effort has
been taken to prove its traditional claim by screening the antidiarrhoeal
activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Kedrostis foetidissima in mice.
Phytochemical analysis was carried for the ethanolic leaf extract which
shows the presence of tannins, terpenoids, flavanoids. Adult Wistar albino mice were used in the study for evaluating the antidiarrhoeal
acitivity. Well established antidiarrhoeal models like Measurement of
faecal output, Castor oil induced diarrhoea and charcoal meal induced
gastrointestinal transit test were performed. For above test, the animals
were divided into 4 groups of six animals each. Group I served as control
received CMC solution, Group II and III were administered with 200 and
400 mg/kg of ethanolic leaf extract of Kedrostis foetidissima respectively.
Group IV served as reference control, received 5mg/kg of Loperamide.
The result showed that, in measurement of faecal output there was
significant decrease in feacal out was observed with Kedrostis
foetidissima, in castor oil induced diarrhoea test, both the doses of
Kedrostis foetidissima reduced the number of diarrhoeal episodes and in
charcoal meat test, there was significant decrease in % of distance
travelled by the charcoal marker in dose-dependent manner. From the
above it was concluded that, ethanolic leaf extract of Kedrostis
foetidissima exhibited antidiarrhoeal activity in animal models. CONCLUSION: From the present research work, it is concluded that the ethanolic
leaf extract of Kedrositis foetidissima selected for pharmacological
screening with a special reference to anti-diarrhoeal activity.
Traditionally the leaves of Kedrositis foetidissima was used to control
diarrhoea. Literature review on Kedrositis foetidissima reveals the plant
possess antimicrobial, antitumor and wound healing activity.
Phytochemical analysis shows the presence of triterpeniods saponins,
carbhohydrates, tannins, flavanoids , resins, sterols etc. Kedrositis
foetidissima leaf extract exhibited anti-diarrhoeal property in dose
dependent manner in three different models. Further study has to be
conducted by isolating the active principal responsible for anti-diarrhoeal
property which may add a new herb anti-diarrhoeal agent