Effects of Crinum jagus Water/Ethanol Extract on Shigella flexneri-Induced Diarrhea in Rats
Paul Aimé Noubissi1, Michel Archange Fokam Tagne2, Gaëtan Olivier Fankem3
1Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Buea, Cameroon.
Insights
This study shows that Crinum jagus extract effectively combats Shigella flexneri, reducing diarrhea symptoms and bacterial load in rats. The findings support its traditional use for treating diarrheal diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ethnobotany
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Diarrheal diseases are a major cause of child mortality in developing nations.
- Existing drugs for infectious diarrhea face challenges like resistance and contraindications.
- There is a critical need for novel, effective treatments against bacterial diarrhea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-Shigella flexneri activity of Crinum jagus water/ethanol extract.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Crinum jagus in an in vitro and in vivo model of Shigella flexneri-induced diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- In vitro assays included disc diffusion and agar dilution to determine antimicrobial activity.
- In vivo studies involved administering Crinum jagus extract to rats with Shigella flexneri-induced diarrhea.
- Biochemical markers (cytokines, immunoglobulins, hormones, ions) and blood cell counts were analyzed post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Crinum jagus extract demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of Shigella flexneri growth in vitro, with a Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 0.10 mg/mL.
- In vivo, the extract significantly reduced diarrheal stools and bacterial load in rats.
- Treatment normalized levels of certain cytokines, immunoglobulins, hormones, and ions, and improved colon histology.
Conclusions:
- Crinum jagus extract possesses significant in vitro and in vivo anti-Shigella flexneri activity.
- The findings validate the traditional ethnomedicinal use of Crinum jagus for diarrhea treatment.
- Crinum jagus represents a potential source for developing new anti-diarrheal agents.
Abstract:
Diarrheal disease, characterized by the release of more than three loose or liquid stools per day, remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children below 5 years of age in developing countries. Many drugs used in diarrhea management face contraindication and, with regard to infectious diarrhea, resistance of some bacterial strains; this therefore increases the need of new alternative and more effective drugs. This study aimed to evaluate anti-Shigella flexneri activities of Crinum jagus water/ethanol extract. In vitro activities were assayed by disc diffusion and agar dilution methods and in vivo section on Shigella flexneri-induced diarrhea in rats. This was done by oral administration of 9 X 108 CFU of Shigella flexneri to rats that were treated twice daily with Crinum jagus water/ethanol extract for seven consecutive days. Ciprofloxacin was used as positive control. Daily Shigella flexneri load was evaluated. After one treatment week, animals were then sacrificed and interleukins (IL-2 and INF-γ), immunoglobulins (IgA and IgM), motilin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and ions (sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride) levels were determined. Also, blood cell count was realized. Crinum jagus water/ethanol extract dose-dependently inhibited Shigella flexneri growth with inhibition diameter of 18.90 and 25.36 mm, respectively, at 0.39 and 200 mg/mL. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 0.10 mg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 0.30 mg/mL with MBC/MIC ratio of 3.0. In Shigella flexneri-induced diarrheic rats, Crinum jagus reduced (p<0.01) diarrheal stools emission and Shigella load and lowered IL-2, INF-γ, IgA, IgM, and motilin blood levels, whereas it increased (p<0.01) vasoactive intestinal peptide, sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride blood levels. In diarrheal rats, Crinum jagus restored the decreasing white blood cells and haemoglobin and restored the damaged colon epithelium, where it reduced the density of mucus-filled goblet cells. These results confirm the use of Crinum jagus in ethnomedicine in diarrhea treatment.
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