Evaluation of Anti-Diarrheal Activities of the 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Maesa lanceolata Forssk (Myrsinaceae) Leaves in Mice

Abstract

Background

Due to the limits of present antidiarrheal medications, it is critical to seek novel, safe, and inexpensive antidiarrheal agents. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the antidiarrheal activity of 80% methanol crude extract and solvent fractions of Maesa lanceolata leaves in mice.

Methods

Leaf powder was extracted by 80% methanol and then fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. At 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, the effects of the crude extract on castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility tests were investigated. Tween 2% and atropine used as negative and positive controls, respectively. A gastrointestinal motility test was used to explore the anti-motility effects. Data were analyzed with SPSS V. 26, and the significance was established with a one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey’s test.

Results

The crude extract delayed the onset of diarrhea and significantly reduced the number of fecal drops at 100 (p<0.05), 200 and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001). Similarly, the number and weight of wet feces, as well as total fresh feces, were reduced at 200 (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001) compared to Tween 2%. The enteropooling test demonstrated that the extracts significantly reduced the volume and weight of intestine content at 200 (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001). The anti-motility activity test revealed that the all extracts decreased gastrointestinal motility significantly (p<0.001). The ethyl acetate fraction significantly reduced gastrointestinal transit time at all doses (p<0.001). At 400 mg/kg, the activities of the n-hexane fraction were significant (p<0.01). The efficacy of the residual aqueous fraction on gastrointestinal motility was significant at 200 (p<0.05) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The 80% methanol extract of Maesa lanceolata Forssk leaf and solvent fractions were shown to exhibit potent antidiarrheal activity in the current study.

Keywords:

• castor oil
• crude extract
• diarrhea
• Maesa lanceolata Forssk
• solvent fraction

Abbreviations

ANOVA, Analysis of Variance; EAF, Ethyl Acetate Fraction; MEML, 80% methanol extract of Maesa Lanceolata leaves; NHF, n-Hexane Fraction; OECD, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; PI, Peristalsis Index; RAQF, Residue Aqueous Fraction; SEM, Standard Error of the Mean; WHO, World Health Organization.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current work are accessible from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

The research and ethics committee of the Department of Pharmacology, University of Gondar, granted ethical clearance with Ref. No: SOP4/55/2014. The animals were housed in cages in an animal home that had a 12-hour light/dark cycle and were fed normal pellets and water on an ad libitum basis. All investigations were conducted in a quiet laboratory setting. The study were carried out in line with the Laboratory Animal Care and Use Handbook.⁶⁹

Acknowledgments

The authors are happy to acknowledge the University of Gondar, School of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, for letting us use the pharmacology laboratory settings, chemicals, and equipment for the current study.

Author Contributions

AM, BD, EM, MA and KA conceptualized the study and contributed to the original idea. AM, MA and KA had carried out the experiments. AM, EM and KA drafted the manuscript. AM, BD and MA participated in drafting the manuscript. AM, MA and KA recorded the data-related experiments. AM, BD, EM and KA performed the data analysis and drafted the results. The manuscript was reviewed and edited by AM, EM, KA, BD and MA. AM, EM and KA managed the entire project, from the creation of activity tools to data analysis. All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they do not have any conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by the Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar.