In vitro antioxidant and antidiarrheal activities of aqueous and n-hexane extracts of Cucurbita maxima seed in castor oil-induced diarrheal rats

Diarrhea is a common health complaint occurring with mild, temporary conditions to a potentially life-threatening condition. <i>Cucurbita maxima</i> (Cucurbitaceae) seed is reportedly used traditionally for the treatment of diarrheal and thus this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antioxidants, total tannins, phenolics contents, and antidiarrheal potentials of <i>n</i>-hexane and aqueous <i>C. maxima</i> seed extracts in castor oil induced diarrheal rats. The <i>n</i>-hexane extract mainly contains oils while the aqueous extract was thick, brown solid. The aqueous and <i>n</i>-hexane seed extract of <i>C. maxima</i> expressed significant 2,2, diphenyl-1-picrythdrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities at 6.25 – 1000 mg/mL with IC₅₀ values of 104.01 mg/mL, 29.27 mg/mL and 26.78 mg/mL for <i>n</i>-hexane, aqueous and vitamin C respectively. The hydroxyl radical scavenging activities of the <i>n</i>-hexane and aqueous seed extract of <i>C. maxima</i> were significantly lower at higher concentrations compared with that of vitamin C. Furthermore, the total antioxidant capacities of <i>n</i>-hexane (22.08mg/mL) and aqueous seed extract (11.03 mg/mL) of <i>C. maxima</i> were found to be higher than that of vitamin C (134.46 mg/mL). The aqueous extracts (658.33±380.08 mg QE/g) total tannins were not significantly different from the <i>n</i>-hexane extract (468.33±102.55 mg QE/g) while the <i>n</i>-hexane extract contains significantly higher total phenolics (2.93±1.25 mg GAE/g) compared with the aqueous extract (0.19±0.04 mg GAE/g). Percentage inhibition of stooling was found to be 57±22%, 41±16%, and 46±11% for loperamide, <i>n</i>-hexane, and aqueous respectively. The study concludes that aqueous and n-hexane seed extracts of <i>C. maxima</i> (pumpkin) possess in vitro antioxidant activities and antidiarrheal properties.

Evaluation of the antidiarrheal activity of 80% methanol extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of Bersama abyssinica fresen (Melianthaceae) in mice

Introduction The use of traditional medicinal plants in the management of diarrhea has long been practiced in Ethiopia. B. abyssinica fresen is one of the plants traditionally used to treat diarrhea whereas an in vivo study had not yet been conducted. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of crude extract and solvent fractions of the leaf of B. abyssinica in mice. Methods Cold maceration within 80% methanol was used to extract the leaf powder and extract of the leaf was fractionated using n-hexane, chloroform, and distilled water. The in vivo antidiarrheal activity of crude extracts and solvent fractions were tested in experimental models of castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and antimotility test. Five groups each with 6 mice were used under the three antidiarrheal models. Positive controls were treated with loperamide 3 mg/kg and atropine 5 mg/kg and 2% tween 80 was used in the treatment of negative controls. The extract and solvent fractions were administered at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Time of onset of diarrhea, number and weight of total and wet feces, the percent reduction in the number of wet feces, weight and volume of intestinal contents, and percent inhibition of intestinal motility were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Result Defecation of castor oil-induced diarrheal or loose stools was inhibited (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of crude extract and aqueous fraction. The crude extract and the aqueous fraction at three doses (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), the chloroform fraction at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001), and the n-hexane fraction at 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05) reduced intraluminal fluid accumulation compared with the negative control. Castor oil-induced intestinal motility was significantly suppressed with the three-doses of aqueous fraction (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001), 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of crude extract (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01), 400 mg/kg of chloroform and n-hexane (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001) compared with negative control. Conclusion The crude extract, aqueous, and chloroform fractions of B. abyyssinica leaves have promising anti-diarrheal effects, supporting the plant's traditional use to treat diarrhea.