ANTI-DIARRHOEAL ACTIVITY

Diarrhoea is the excretion or passage of watery stools at least twice or three times within 24-hour. Traditional medicines are largely underused as a source of health care. Insights and innovative approaches from traditional medicine can also directly impact the economy and public health. The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-diarrhoeal activity of Chrysobalanus icaco (coco plum) fruit methanol extract in Swiss mice. Diarrhoea was induced in Swiss mice using castor oil model. Parameters such as consistency, frequency, and duration of stool were investigated and compared with the control groups. The results obtained from this study showed that C. icaco fruit methanol extract elicited an inhibitory effect in castor oil induced diarrhoea across graded doses of the extract when compared with the untreated control. Also, a significant decrease in the number of diarrhoea compared with the untreated group p <0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrated that C. icaco fruit methanol extract possessed a significant anti- diarrhoeal activity. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and to determine its long-term safety and efficacy in human subjects