Antidiarrheal Evaluation of Aqueous and Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Acacia sieberiana DC. (Fabaceae) in Albino Rats

The antidiarrheal activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Acacia sieberiana were evaluated in albino rats, sequel to reports of its use in the management of animal diarrhea in some parts of Plateau State, Nigeria. Studies were carried out on castor oil induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal transit at doses 300, 600, and 1200 mg/Kg body weight. Both extracts did not show any significant (P>0.05) inhibitory effect in both assays when compared to the negative controls. The standard drugs, loperamide (10 mg/Kg) and atr opine sulphate (3 mg/Kg) significantly (P<0.05) inhibited diarr hea and r educed the distance travelled by the activated charcoal in the intestine respectively. No deaths or any apparent signs of toxicity or side effects wer e observed in the animals following the oral administration of both extracts above 2000 mg/Kg. Phytochemical screenings carried out revealed the presence of saponins, cardiac glycosides, and flavonoids in both extracts, while tannins were present only in the ethanolic extract. The traditional use of A. sieberiana leaves in the management of diarrhea could not be justified by this study. Further work to assess the antibacterial, antiviral, anthelminthic and antiprotozoal activity is necessary to verify the folkloric claims for its use in diarrheal management.