Abstract:
Objective: To investigate the anti-diarrhoea property of aqueous leaves extract of
Psidium guajava (red apple guava leaves) in castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats.
Methods: Five groups of five rats each orally received the following treatment; groups II,
III & IV received 100, 200 & 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract respectively and group V received a standard drug for diarrhoea (Laperamide), while group 1 received 1ml of
castor oil only without treatment. 1 ml of castor oil was given to rats in all groups, one hour
after the treatment with extract and standard drug. The rats in each group were then
placed singly in a cage with adsorbent paper on the floor of the cage. The diarrhoea
episode was observed for 4 hours and the cumulative frequency of the wet and formed
stools were noted at the end of the 4th hour. Percentage inhibition of diarrhoea was
calculated using the mean stool frequency and the anti-diarrhoea activity determined in
terms of percentage protection.
Results: The extract reduced stooling in castor oil induced diarrhoea in rats in group IV
which shows no significant difference with the group V treated with standard drug. The
rats in group I showed the highest stooling episode which is significantly higher than all
other groups.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that an aqueous extract of guava leaves may be
used as an effective treatment for non specific diarrhoea in medicine. The anti-diarrhoea
action may be linked to direct inhibitory effect of the extract on the propulsive movement
of the gastrointestinal tract smooth muscles. It equally shows that the treatment is dose
dependent.
