Bioassay-guided evaluation of the antidiarrhoeal potentials of Zizyphus spina-christi root bark in rats

The basis for the use of Zizyphus spina-christi in folkloric practice as a remedy for diarrhoea was investigated in rats. The root bark of the plant material was sequentially extracted and the main antidiarrhoeal activity was traced to a fraction (numbered ZS-4E), eluted with chloroform-methanol (60:40), from the methanol extract. The fraction was tested for antidiarrhoeal activity against castor oil induced-diarrhoea and fluid accumulation, and charcoal meal test in rats. Results show that the fraction (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited some level of efficacy against the models used which however was not dose-dependent. Phytochemical tests of the methanol extract indicated the presence of tannins, saponins, balsams and carbohydrates. The total tannin content was established to be 18.1 mg/g. International Journal of Biological & Chemical Sciences Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 15-2