Abstract

The antimicrobial activities of aqueous and methanol extracts of Guiera senegalensis were studied against some enteropathogens by agar-well diffusion method. Both extracts inhibited the growth of Streptococcus Pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella sppand Pseudomonas euroginosa. The methanol extract was more effective on S. Pneumonia, E. coli, S. aureus, E. cloacae, Salmonella spp, while the aqueous extract was more active on Salmonella spp and P. euroginosa. The methanol extract showed quicker curative action in experimentally induced diarrhoea in adult male mice when administered once or twice at a dose of 556 mg/kg daily. From this work, G. senegalensis root appears to be an effective measure for treating diarrhoea. Where food poisoning or metal poisoning are the causative agents. The phytochemical screening results of the aqueous extract, showed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, coumarine and anthraquinones.However anthraquinones were not detected in the methanol extract and cardiac glycosides where not detected in the aqueous extract. Ethno medicinal use of this plant in the treatment of diarrhoea is justified by this work and is encouraged.

Keywords: Diarrhoea, root extracts, stool formation, antimicrobial activity, packed cell volume (PCV).