Diarrheal diseases are one of the top two causes of infant mortality (Levine et al. 2012). classified as invasive, non-inflammatory and inflammatory depending upon the pathogens (Navaneethan et al. 2008). It leads to dehydration (Seti 2014), causes weight loss, malnutrition and effects growth (Guerrant et al. 1983). Chloride ions play a major role in the regulation of fluid secretion of intestine. When chloride ions are increased in excess they cause secretory diarrhea (Barrett et al. 2000). Antibiotics are widely used for diarrheal treatment however, their use disturb the native microbiota of GIT (Khanna et al. 2016) and results in Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea (AAD) (McFarland 2008). Herbal preparations are considered to have less side effects than the synthetic drugs (Calixto 2000). They are preferred for their low cost (Modak et al. 2007).
Catharanthus roseus also known as Madagascar periwinkle is a medicinal plant. It belongs to family Apocynaceae. It contains 70 types of alkaloids (Summarwar et al. 2015). The crude extract of its leaves has antimicrobial and antifungal properties (Balaabirami et al. 2012), it also shows antidiarrheal activity (Hassan et al. 2011). Barium chloride (BaCl2) was used as a model to mimic Cl secretory diarrhea in our research. Ussing chamber set up was used to study in vitro chloride transport.
Total 40 adult rabbits weighing more than 1 kg were used in our study. The tissues were obtained by dissecting the rabbits. The colon was identified and removed. The groups were divided into four groups. Group A served as control. Group B was 20mM of BaCl2 on serosal side. Group C was treated with leaf extract of Catharanthus roseus on mucosal side, while Group D was treated with both, BaCl2 (20mM) on serosal and 1.5% 1ml extract of Catharanthus roseus on mucosal side.
Statistical analysis was conducted with Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The data was analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The group differences were compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Differences were considered significant at P<0.05.
BaCl2 increased net chloride secretions that elevated short circuit current. Catharanthus roseus affected the electrophysiology of isolated colon of rabbits by decreasing the short circuit current which was induced by the BaCl2. The decrease of current between the groups is significant (p value < 0.05). Conductance increased significantly after the addition of BaCl2 and Catharanthus roseus (P < 0.05).
This study will be helpful in establishing the role of Catharanthus roseus as a potential antidiarrheal agent in secretory diarrhea.