TITLE:
Safety, Tolerability and Anti-Diarrhoeal Activity of “Diarra”, a Preparation of Medicinal Plants Used in Ivorian Traditional Medicine
AUTHORS:
Kouakou Etienne Effo, Yacouba Adebo Adehouni, Gbongué Eric Tia, Amenan Geneviève Irié-N’Guessan, N’Doua Gisèle Kouakou Siransy
KEYWORDS:
Safety, Tolerability, Antidiarrheal, Diarra, Traditional Medicine
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.14 No.10,
October
30,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: “Diarra”, a traditional herbal remedy made from
five (5) medicinal plants, might be endowed with anti-diarrhoeal properties
according to its owner. However, scientific evidence of its safety,
tolerability and activity has not been established. Objective: This
study aimed to assess the safety, tolerability and anti-diarrhoeal activity of “Diarra”
in experimental rats. Materials and Methods: Safety was assessed by
acute (OECD 423) and sub-acute (OECD 407) toxicity studies at doses of 5, 10
and 20 mg/kg. Clinical tolerability was assessed for 28 days. On day 29, a
blood sample was taken to evaluate biological tolerability. The anti-diarrhoeal
activity was investigated in a castor oil-induced diarrhoea model. Rats were
given the remedy at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg and then castor oil 1 hour
later. They were observed for 4 hours and diarrhoeal stools were collected. The
Percentage of diarrhoeal inhibition was calculated. Results: A single
dose of “Diarra” at a dose of 2000 mg/kg did not induce any lethality,
behavioural or weight change in rats for 14 days. When administered once daily
for 28 days, “Diarra” did not cause lethality or significant behavioural
disorders or significant weight loss in rats. No biological disorders were
observed. The treatment of rats with “Diarra” at doses of 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and
20 mg/kg in a single administration inhibited the occurrence of diarrhoeal stools. The respective percentages of inhibition
were 60%, 50% and 62%, similar to those of loperamide at a dose of 2 mg/kg
(68%). Conclusion: “Diarra” has an anti-diarrheal activity
in rats. It is also safe to use this remedy as such.