Antibacterial, antidiarrhoeal and ulcer-protective activity of methanolic extract of Spondias mangifera bark

PURPOSE: To evaluate Spondias mangifera bark for indomethacin-induced ulcer protective and castor-oil induced antidiarrhoeal activity. METHODS: The extracts of S. mangifera were tested for castor-oil induced diarrhea, and intestinal fluid accumulation and propulsion in rats using diphenoxylate hydrochloride and atropine as standard drug. The effect of the extracts on indomethacin-induced ulceration in rats was also evaluated. using cimetidine as positive control. In-vitro antibacterial activity of methanolic and aqueous extract was also evaluated against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae bacteria. RESULTS: There was a significant (p < 0.01) inhibition activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea and fluid accumulations in rats when tested at 100 and 200mg/kg. The extracts also showed significant (p < 0.01) reduction in intestinal propulsion in charcoal meal test in rats. The methanol extract inhibited the ulcerogenic effect of indomethacin and good antibacterial activity. CONCLUSION: S. mangifera possesses significant antidiarrhoeal, ulcer protective and antibacterial activities. Keywords: Antidiarrhoeal; Antibacterial; Spondias mangifera bark; Ulcer protective effect.