Effect of aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica on microbial and castor oil induced diarrhoea.

Abstract

The seeds of Acacia nilotica were evaluated for in vitro bioactivity against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi using agar dilution method. The aqueous seeds extract exhibited bactericidal effects against E. coli and S. typhi at 1mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aqueous extract of A. nilotica was 0.5mg/ml for both organisms. Five (5) Albino rats of both sexes weighing between (85-125g) were used for each experiment and diarrhoea was induced using Castor oil. The extract showed remarkable anti-diarrhoea activity which was dose dependent at 100, 200 and 400mg evidenced by decrease in volume of intestinal content significantly different at P<0.05 among the treatment. Anti-diarrhoea activity of the extract was comparable to 2mg/kgbw loperamide (standard drug) at 400mg/kgbw. The results suggest that aqueous extract of A. nilotica could be useful in the treatment of diarrhoea.