Abstract

Fisseha Shiferie and Workineh Shibeshi

The root extract of Echinops kebericho is used traditionally for the treatment of diarrhea. This study describes the anti-diarrheal and anti-spasmodic activities of the aqueous root extract of E. kebericho. The effect of extract in rodents on castor oil-induced intestinal transit, diarrhea and enteropooling was evaluated at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The effects of extract on acetylcholine-induced guinea pig ileum contractions were also evaluated. In the castor oil induced intestinal transit test, E. kebericho produced a dose dependent decrease in intestinal propulsion with peristaltic index values of 45.05±3.3, 42.71±2.25 and 33.17±3.3%, respectively at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg compared with control (63.43±7.3%). In the castor oil-induced diarrhea test, the mean defecation was reduced from 1.81±0.18 to 0.99 ± 0.21 compared with 2.59 ±0.81 for control. The same parameter for 400 mg/kg of extract (0.99±0.21) was comparable to loperamide (0.97 ± 0.21). The extract significantly decreased the volume of intestinal fluid secretion induced by castor oil (2.31±0.1 to 2.01±0.2) compared to control (3.28±0.3). The root extract of E. kebericho exhibited a dose dependent spasmolytic effect in acetylcholine-induced guinea pig ileum contraction. In conclusion, the data obtained in this study give scientific support for traditional use of E. kebericho as an anti-diarrheal agent.