Evaluation of Antidiarrheal properties of ethanol extract of Brassica juncea in experimental animals

Objective: The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-diarrheal potentials of ethanol extract of Brassica juncea in albino rats. Materials and methods: The defatted powder of whole plant of Brassica juncea subjected to extraction using ethanol in soxhlet apparatus. The acute oral toxicity was studied for ethanol extract according to OECD guidelines 425. The antidiarrheal properties of ethanol extracts was assessed against castor oil induced diarrhea, magnesium sulfate induced diarrhea and charcoal passage test in albino wistar rats. Results: The ethanol extract of Brassica juncea has effectively reversed diarrhea. The extract at higher dose 400mg/kg shows significant reduction the number of feces against castor oil induced and MgSO4 induced diarrhea. In charcoal passage test, higher dose of ethanol extract also shown significant reduction in the distance travelled. Conclusion: The result obtained establish the efficiency of ethanol extract of Brassica juncea as antidiarrheal agent Keywords: Brassica juncea, castor oil, magnesium sulphate, charcoal passage test.

Technological prospection of Diminazene Aceturate, an Angiotensin II Converting Enzyme activator, in front of diarrheic disorders

Diarrhea, which is a gastrointestinal disease, has as its main characteristic the rapid passage of gastric contents through the intestine, which leads to the loss of water and electrolytes and consequent dehydration. The most common fluid replacement is the use of oral rehydration solution (ORS) together with the use of the drug loperamide. However, the use of this medication can cause severe bacteremia followed by sepsis and even death. Currently, there is no effective pharmacological treatment for diarrhea, therefore, it is noted the importance of seeking new therapeutic targets for the treatment of this disease. Thus, the aim of the present study was to conduct a research on the biological activities already described for Diminazene Aceturate with a special focus on antidiarrheal agents. For this, a survey was carried out, through patent filing searches, in the USPTO, EPO, WIPO and INPI databases, using keywords and Boolean operators. Thus, it was found in the international patent databases the number of documents referring to the use of Diminazene Aceturate in several areas, mainly in the pharmaceutical industry, but with a relatively low number of documents regarding the description of possible antidiarrheal action of the compound under study , which reinforces the innovative character of research involving the use of Diminazene Aceturate as an antidiarrheal agent.

Left Ventricular Regional Wall Motion Abnormality in the Setting of Acute Loperamide Overdose

Loperamide is an inexpensive, over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent with emerging reports of overdose due to its opioid properties. Although it is considered by many patients to be safe, cardiotoxicity has been reported, prompting the United States Food and Drug Administration to release a warning regarding the arrhythmogenic potential of loperamide. We present a case of a 32-year-old male presenting in acute loperamide overdose and subsequent cardiac dysrhythmia with focal wall motion abnormalities on echocardiogram. This finding has not been previously reported in the literature and is unique in this clinical presentation. We also highlight the potential mechanisms for loperamide cardiotoxicity and its challenging management.

Evaluation of Anti-Diarrheal Activity of Methanol Root Bark Extract of Milicia Excelsa (Welw) C. C Berg (Moraceae) in Rats

Milicia excelsa (Moraceae) plant is used as an antidiarrheal agent in ethnomedicine but there is no scientific rationale for its claim. Hence, this study examined the acute toxicity (LD50) and anti-diarrheal effect of methanol root bark extract of Milicia excelsa per oral in rats as well as the probable phytoconstituents responsible for this effect. The LD50 was>5000 mg/kg, suggesting its safety. The extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the total number of feces and wet feces in castor oil-induced diarrhea with percentage inhibitions of 41.36 and 50.88% at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively; it also significantly (p<0.05) reduced the distance travelled by charcoal in a dose dependent manner with percentage inhibitions of 33.85, 43.07 and 50.76% at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively in gastrointestinal motility test indicating anti-diarrheal potentials. The extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the intestinal fluid accumulation with percentage inhibitions of 33.28 and 45.61% at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively, suggesting antisecretory effect. Furthermore, the extract significantly (p<0.05) inhibited the intestinal propulsion of the charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract in castor oil-induced gastrointestinal transit suggesting antimotility effect. Total flavonoids and tannins are the most abundant phytoconstituents therein. This study therefore concluded that the anti-diarrhea action of the extract may at least in part be mediated via antisecretory and antimotility mechanisms, which could be due to the additive, synergy or counter interaction of the phytoconstituents therein, thus supporting its ethnomedicinal claim.

Antidiarrheal Activity of 80% Methanolic Leaf Extract of Justicia schimperiana

Background. Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of preventable death in developing countries and mainly affects children and infants. It has been reported that the leaf of Justicia schimperiana is used as an antidiarrheal agent in Libo Kemekem district, northwest Ethiopia. Method. The 80% methanolic leaf extract of J. schimperiana was evaluated for its activity against castor oil-induced diarrhea, enteropooling, and gastrointestinal motility in mice. Results. Significant reduction (p<0.001) in the total defecation and diarrheal drops was produced by all the test doses of the extract. Percentage inhibition of wet feces was 42.58, 65.07, and 74.96% at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract, respectively. The extract also significantly inhibited castor oil-induced enteropooling at all test doses. The percent reduction in mean weight of intestinal contents was 66.96, 67.83, and 76.52% at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses of the extract, respectively. The extract significantly reduced gastrointestinal movement of charcoal meal as well at 200 (p<0.01) and 400 mg/kg (p<0.001) doses. Conclusion. In conclusion, the methanolic leaf extract of J. schimperiana has an antidiarrheal activity and this supports the use of this plant in the treatment of diarrhea in the traditional settings.

Loperamide Induced Life Threatening Ventricular Arrhythmia

Loperamide is over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent acting on peripherally locatedμopioid receptors. It is gaining popularity among drug abusers as opioid substitute. We report a case of a 46-year-old male that was presented after cardiac arrest. After ruling out ischemia, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary embolism, central nervous system pathology, sepsis, and other drug toxicity, we found out that patient was using around 100 mg of Loperamide to control his chronic diarrhea presumably because of irritable bowel syndrome for last five years and consumed up to 200 mg of Loperamide daily for last two days before the cardiac arrest. We hypothesize that the patient’s QTc prolongation and subsequent cardiac arrest are due to Loperamide toxicity. Patient experienced gradual resolution of tachyarrhythmia and gradual decrease in QTc interval during hospitalization which supports the evidence of causal relationship between Loperamide overdose and potentially fatal arrhythmias. It also provided the clue that patient may have congenital long QT syndrome which was unmasked by Loperamide causing ventricular arrhythmias. This case adds one more pearl in the literature to support that Loperamide overdose related cardiac toxicity does exist and it raises concerns over Loperamide abuse in the community.