Pharmacological Assessment of Medicinal Flora with Antidiarrheal Properties: Integrating Traditional Wisdom and Contemporary Therapeutics

Abstract

Diarrheal illness continues to be a predominant cause of morbidity and death, especially in children under five years of age in tropical and developing areas. Notwithstanding worldwide initiatives like the WHO Diarrheal Disease Control Program, the prevalence of diarrheal diseases endures due to inadequate sanitation, contaminated drinking water, and restricted access to contemporary healthcare. Traditional medicine remains essential in the management of diarrhea, with herbal medicines serving as the foundation of treatment in several communities. This article examines the pathophysiology of diarrhea and emphasizes the pharmacological potential of medicinal plants utilized as antidiarrheal medicines. The syndrome results from disruptions in the absorption of intestinal water and electrolytes, causing accelerated stool transit and dehydration. While oral rehydration treatments effectively address dehydration, they do not diminish stool volume or frequency, requiring further therapeutic measures. Various plant species, including Annona muricata, Alchornea cordifolia, Kigelia africana, Punica granatum, and Ruta chalepensis, have exhibited considerable antidiarrheal efficacy in diverse animal models via mechanisms such as antisecretory, antimotility, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial actions. Phytochemicals such as apigenin, friedelin, and 1,8-cineole are responsible for these actions. Nonetheless, several conventional therapies remain insufficiently investigated scientifically, exhibiting little clinical validity. This highlights the necessity for comprehensive phytochemical characterization, standardization, and clinical trials to guarantee effectiveness and safety. Utilizing these conventional herbal resources might facilitate the creation of economical, accessible, and safer antidiarrheal treatments, especially in resource-constrained environments.