Abstract

A. Y. Tijani, S. E. Okhale, T. A. Salawu*, H. O.Onigbanjo, L. A Obianodo, J. A Akingbasote, O. A. Salawu1, J. I. Okogun, F. O. Kunle and M. Emeje

Stem bark of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. Ex G. Don (Fabaceae) is used in African traditional medicine for management of diarrhoea- related disorders. The anti-diarrhoeal and anti-microbial activities of the aqueous stem bark extract of P. biglobosa and its fractions designated PF1-PF4 were investigated in mice and against selected diarrhoea-causing micro-organisms. The oral median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract in mice was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg B.W. The extract and its column chromatographic fraction F3 significantly (p < 0.05) and dose-dependently reduced frequency of stooling in castor- oil-induced diarrhoea, castor-oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation and intestinal transit. The crude extract as well as fractions F3 and F4 strongly inhibited growth of selected micro-organisms. The study showed that the aqueous extract possess both anti-diarrhoeal and antimicrobial activities. The anti-diarrhoeal action may be linked partly to direct inhibitory effect of the extract on the propulsive movement of the gastrointestinal tract smooth muscle, and the anti-microbial effect on the diarrhoeacausing pathogenic organisms.