Preliminary toxicity and gastroprotective potential of flavonoid-rich fractions of leaves from Opilia celtidifolia (Guill. & Perr.) Endl. ex Walp (Opiliaceae)

Objective : In Burkina Faso as in other developing countries, the diarrheal diseases constitute a serious problem of public health. To treat diarrhea, most Burkina Faso people living in the rural areas do rely on medicinal plants. To evaluate the traditional use of Opilia celtidifolia , scientific validation is needed. Methods : The collected plant materials were dried, pulverized, and aqueous acetone extracts were prepared. The serially diluted fractions of the extracts and finally reach the flavonoid-rich fractions which assayed for antibacterial activities against selected enteropathogens by agar well diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration respectively. The anti-diarrheal activity was evaluated using castor oil induced diarrhea, magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal transit test examined in animal models respectively. Results : Flavonoid-rich fractions has positive effects in a dose dependent manner against diarrhoea induced by castor oil, magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal transit test examined in animal models. The bioactive fraction also showed good antimicrobial activity against all bacteria strains and compared to the ciprofloxacin. Conclusions : These findings indicate that the flavonoid-rich fraction possesses antidiarrheal property in rats and confirm the ethnomedicinal use of Opilia celtidifolia a valuable natural remedy for the treatment, management and/or control of diarrhea. The results provided some insight into the gastroprotective potential of this plant traditionally used by the people of Burkina Faso to treat diarrhea.