Evaluation of Anti-Diarrhoeal Action of a Hot-Water Infusion of Ocimum gratissimum, Linn
Main Article Content
Abstract
Hot-water infusion of the leaf of Ocimum gratissimum was tested for anti-diarrhoeal action using animal models. Protection of the animals from castor oil-induced diarrhoea and reduction of the number and frequency of faecal output were used as criteria for anti-diarrhoeal activity. The infusion significantly decreased the number of faecal droppings as compared to a normal saline control; it also reduced the propulsive movement of the gastrointestinal contents. The infusion caused a reduction of acetylcholine-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum in a dose dependent manner. There is indication that the anti-diarrhoeal action of the plant infusion may be due to a blockage of muscarinic receptors.
Downloads
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Akah, P.A. and Odita, I.O. (2001) Experimental methods in Physiology and Pharmacology. Abic Publishers, Enugu, Nigeria. p.3.
Dubey, N.K., Tiwari, T.N., Mandin, D., Andriamboavonjy, H and Chaumont, J.P. (2000) Antifungal properties of Ocimum gratissimum essential oil. Fitoterapia 71: 567 – 569.
Ephraim, K.D., Jacks, T.W. and Sodipo, O.A (2003). Histopatholoical studies on the toxicity of Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract on some organs of rabbit. Afr. J. Biomed. Res 6: 21 – 25.
Hardman, J.G. and Gilman, A.G. (2001) Muscarinic receptors agonists and antagonists. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (10th Ed.). pp 155 – 173.
Jedlickova, Z., Mottl, O., and Sory, V. (1992) Antibacterial properties of Vietnamese cajeput oil and Ocimum oil in combination with anti-bacterial agents. J. Hyg. Epidermiol. Microbiol. Immunol. 36(3): 303 – 309.
Lima, E.O., Gompertz, O.F., Giesbrecht, A.M. and Paulo, M.Q. (1993) In vitro antifungal activity of essential oil obtained from some medicinal plants against dermatophytes. Mycoses 36(9 – 10): 333 – 336.
Madeira, S.V., Matos, F.J., Leal-Cardoso, J.H. and Criddle, D.N. (2000) Relaxant effect of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum on isolated ileum of guinea pig. J. Ethnopharmacol. 81: 1 – 4.
Nakamura, C.V., Ueada-Nakamura, T., Bando, E., Melo, A.F.N., Cortez, D.A.G., and Filtho, B.P.D. (1999) Anti-bacterial activity of Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oil. Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro 94(5): 675 – 678.
Ndouga, M. and Ouamba, J.M. (1997) Anti-bacterial and antifungal activities of essential oils of Ocimum gratissimum, and O. basilioum from Congo. Fitoterapia 68: 190 – 191.
Nwosu, M.O. and Okafor, J.I. (1995) Preliminary studies of the antifungal activities of some medicinal plants against Basidiobolus and other pathogenic fungi. Mycoses 38: 191 – 195.
Obaseki-Ebor, E.E., Odukoya, K., Telikepalli, H., Mitscher, L.A. and Shankel, D.M. (1993) Antimutagenic activity of extracts of leaves of four common edible vegetable plants in Nigeria. Mutat. Res. 302(2): 109 – 117.
Offiah, V.N. and Chikwendu, U.A. (1999) Antidiarrhoeal effects of Ocimum gratissimum leaf extract in experimental animals. J. Ethnopharmacol. 68: 327 –330.
Ofokansi, K.C., Adikwu, M.U., Esimone, C.O. and Nwodo, N.M. (2003) Antibacterial activity of the leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum. J. Bio. Res and Biotech. 1(1): 35 – 42.
Said, E.L.F., Sofowora, E.A., Malcolm, S.A., and Hofer, A. (1969). An investigation into the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum as used in Nigeria native medicine. Planta Medica 17: 195 – 200.
Silva, M.G.V., Matos, F.J.A., Lopes, P.R.O., Silva, F.O. and Holanda, M.T. (2004) Composition of essential oils from three Ocimum species obtained by steam and microwave distillation and supercritical CO2 extraction. http://www.arkat-USA.org/ark/journal/2004/106_gottlieb/oc-10059.asp (Accessed on 11 September 2005).
Sofowora, L.A. (1993) Medicinal plants and traditional medicine in Africa. Spectrum Books Ltd., Ibadan. pp. 55 – 71.