Antidiarrheal and Antibacterial Actions of Methanol Extract of Cassia fistula (Linn) Leaves

Isaac John Umaru, Ebenezer Morayo Ale, Imaranezor Kenneth, Bilyaminu Habibu, Muhammad Zuhairah Ismail, Okoli Chikodiri Emmanuel, Yusuf Dawoye and Barrah Collins Chizaram

Background and Objective: Cassia fistula (Linn) is a member of Leguminosae family which is widely known for its medicinal properties. The methanol extract of Cassia fistula (Linn) leaves was investigated for antidiarrheal and in vitro antibacterial potentials. The study revealed that Cassia fistula exhibited significant efficacy against diarrhoea and microorganisms. Materials and Methods: The antidiarrheal activity of the extract was evaluated using castor oil and the sulphate-induced diarrhoea method in the albino rats models at the dose of 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg kg^–1 b.wt., orally, while the antibacterial test was carried out using the agar well method against standard bacteria: Escherichia coli (Gram –ve), Staphylococcus aureus, (Gram +ve), Acinetobacter baumannii (Gram –ve), Exiguobacterium aquaticum (Gram+ve) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (Gram +ve). Results: The result of antidiarrheal activity showed that methanol extract of Cassia fistula (Linn) leaves significantly (p<0.001) decreased the frequency of defecation and wet stools in a dose-dependent manner after receiving magnesium sulphate (2 g kg^–1 b.wt.) and castor oil (0.4 mL kg^–1 b.wt.). The extract also showed significant growth inhibition on the selected bacteria in a concentration-dependent manner, with the lowest inhibition: 7.32±0.04, 6.26±0.14, 5.47±0.13, 8.45±0.14 and 7.50±0.22 mm for the bacteria, respectively observed at 50 μg mL^–1, while highest inhibition: 12.59±0.18, 11.86±0.08, 10.59±0.12, 15.58±0.09, 15.60±0.10 mm, respectively was observed at 1000 μg mL^–1 compared to that of the control (chloramphenicol) between 18.00±1.11-21.10±0.22 mm. In all cases, the effects elicited by the extract are comparable to those of loperamide and chloramphenicol, the respective standard antidiarrheal and antibacterial drugs. These findings, therefore, justify the use of Cassia fistula (Linn) leaves as an effective antidiarrheal and antibacterial agent.

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