Journal of Medicinal Plants Research Vol. 6(25), pp.

4159-4162 ,5 July, 2012

Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR
DOI: 10.5897/JMPR011.1702
ISSN 1996-0875 ©2012 Academic Journals

Review

Efficacy of herbal medicines in diarrheal diseases: A

review
M. Akram1*, Muhammad Irfanullah Siddiqui2, Naveed Akhter3, Muhammad Khurram Waqas4,
Saim Jamil1, Muhammad Akram5, Aubid Allah Khan3, Asadullah Madni3 and H. M. Asif3
1
Shifa ul Mulk Memorial Hospital, Hamdard University, Karachi, Pakistan.
2
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia.
3
Department of Pharmacy, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan.
4
Department of Pharmacy, the University of Faisalabad, Pakistan.
5
Department of Pharmacy, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
Accepted 1 February, 2012

Medicinal plants have been used for treating diarrhea and other ailments. People all over the world are
interested in using herbal medicines for various diseases. Allopathic system of medicine with their
known side effect is not able to replace herbal medicine. Herbal medicine activities as anti-bacterial and
antidiarrheal have been discussed that confirm the scientifically basis of the drug use in Unani system
of medicine. This paper reviews the efficacy of some medicinal plants used for treatment of diarrhea
and their anti‐diarrheal activities have been investigated preclinically and clinically. Basic scientific
research has revealed the mechanisms by which some plants exhibit their therapeutic effects. The
present literature emphasizes on efficacy of herbal medicine in diarrhea as well as its safer options of
treatments. The present study indicates that the extracts of some plants may provide a safe and
effective adjunctive therapeutic approach for the treatment of diarrhea.

Key words: Diarrhea, infectious agents, medicinal plants, efficacy.

INTRODUCTION

Diarrhea is a condition in which there is increase in stool Leucas aspera

weight to greater than 300 g per day. This is usually
accompanied by increased stool frequency. Infectious
agent responsible for diarrhea are enteroadhesive
Escherichia coli, enteropathogenic E.
enterotoxigenic E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella (non-
typhoid), campylobacter jejuni, Giardia lamblia,
Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium. Host factors
for persistant diarrhea include malnutrition, lactose
intolerance and repeated bouts of diarrhoea. Herbal
medicine has gained sufficient importance because of
their safety, efficacy and cost effectiveness.
This plant belong to Lamiaceae family.
coli,
Uses
It is used for diarrhea, blood purifier, and loss of appetite.
Stems of L. aspera are mixed with leaves of Azadirachta
indica and leaves and fruits of Coccinia cordifolia and
taken.

Symplocos racemosa

*Corresponding author. E-mail: makram_0451@hotmail.com. It is called lodh pathani and belongs to Symplococaceae
Tel: 92-021-6440083. Fax: 92-021-6440079. family. It antibacterial activities have been studied. It
4160 J. Med. Plants Res.
inhibits the growth of variouis bacteria including E. Coli
and organisms responsible for dysentery (Agarwal,
1998).
Chikni mitti
Tibbi name: Chikni mitti
Englsih name: Kaolin
Scentific name: Kaolinum
Uses
It is used in diarrhea and stops loose motion. It is also
used in intestinal ulcers and is useful for relieving pain in
inflammation (Usmanghani and Saeed, 1997).
Mentha longifolia L.
Local name: Wanly; whole plant is used for medicinal
purposes. It is effective in vomiting and all types of
diarrhea and dysentery. Its powder is used in asthmatic
conditions where it acts as bronchodilator and reverses
the bronchial obstructions.
Acacia niloltica (L.) Delile
Local name: Kikar. It is effective in toothache. It has
astringent activity. Wood, leave and gum is usually
prescribed. Wood is used in house constructions and is
used as fuel in Punjab and rural areas where gas is not
available. Its gum is effective in diarrhea and dysentery.
Its efficacy in diabetes mellitus has also been reported
but further study should be carried out to find out active
constituents that are responsible for these activities.
Acorus calamus L.
Local name: Skhawaja. Rhizome of this plant is
prescribed. It is effective in respiratory tract infections
including cough. It is antispasmolytic and is used in
abdominal colic. Its activity as antidysenteric agent has
been reported as well.
Berberis lycium Royle
Local name: Toor Kwaray. It is eaten and is prescribed in
diarrhea and dysentery. Its efficacy in diarrhea has been
studied. It is effective in respiratory tract infections
especially tonsillitis and pharyngitis. It relieves abdominal
pain and is prescribed in all types of abdominal pain
where it acts as antispasmolytic agent. It is prescribed in
liver ailments including hepatitis, hepatoma, jaundice and
billiary tract obstructions. It has anti-inflammatory effect
and is prescribed in gouty arthritis and rheumatoid
arthritis as well as other musculoskeletal disorders where
it helps in relieving pain.
Geranium wallichianum D. Don ex sweet
Local name: Sra zeal. Roots of this plant are used for
medicinal purposes. It is effective in mouth ulcers. It is
prescribed in diarrhea and dysentery. It stops bleeding
and is effective in leucorrhea.
Oxalis corniculata L.
Botanical name: Oxalis corniculata L., Local name: Khati
Booti, Family: Oxalidaceae. Part used includes fruit and
seeds. This plant in combination with cumin seeds is
used for treatment of diarrhea and dysentery (Javaid and
Shah, 2007).
Parthenium hysterophorus
Botanical name: Parthenium hysterophorus L.; Local
name: Chatak chandni, Family: Asteraceae. Part used:
Whole plant. This plant is used in diarrhea and dysentery.
Hypericum perforatum L.
Local name: Sheen chai. Part used: Fruit and shoot. It is
prescribed in urolithiasis. It is effective in abdominal pain
and acts as antispamolytic agent. Its decoction is
prescribed in irregular menstruation. It is used as blood
purifier and is found effective in piles, prolapsed uterus
and anus and diarrhea (Ahmadi et al., 2010).
Justcia adhatoda L.
Local name: Baikar, Part used: Leaves. It is effective in
diarrhea and dysentery. It is prescribed in
musculoskeletal disorders in relieving pain. It is effective
in respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and
cough.
It is prescribed in relieving swelling conditions. It
antispasmodic and is prescribed in abdominal pain. It is
blood purifier and is used in scabies, eczema and various
other skin disorders. It is commonly used in ear and nose
diseases where it acts as antiseptic and intibacterial
agent (Abbasi, 1999).
Allium cepa L.
English name: Onion; local name: Piaz; Arabic name:

Basal. This is usually prescribed in diarrhea and
dysentery. it is prescribed in gastrointestinal disorders. It
is effective in cholera. It is used in respiratory tract
infections. It helps in reducing temperature and is
prescribed in fever. It is effective in sexual disorders and
helps in improving sperm production (Bartram, 1995). It is
used in hepatic disorders including hepatitis.
Ocimum bacilicum
O. bacilicum seeds are used in chronic diarrhea,
dysentery and gonorrhea in the form of infusion. Seeds
are recommended in complaints of urinary tract infections
such as gonorrhoea (Baquar, 1989).
Randia spinosa
The bark is effective in diarrhea, dysentery, rheumatism,
pain of bruises and rheumatic pains (The wealth of India,
1969).
Quercus incana
It is used in premature ejaculation and sexual weakness,
diarrhea and dysentery (Usmanghani and Saeed, 1997).
Ziziphora tenuior
Tibbi name; Mushk taramshi, Family; Lamiaceae. It is
used in fever and with butter or milk in dysentery (Jain
and Filipps, 1991).
Safoof Muqliasa
Muqliasa is word of Suryani Language, which is spoken
for word Biryan (Roasted) as all its ingredients are used
in roasted form. It is prescribed in diarrhea and
dysentery. It decreases the intestinal movement and
relieves the pain during dysentery. It acts as spasmolytic
and is effective in abdominal colic. Its ingredient is used
in digestive problems as a simple drug. In compound
form, all ingredients work synergistically and help in
increasing efficacy of this formulation. This drug contains
various ingredients including Asparagus officinalis,
Carum carvi, Terminelia chebula, Allium ascalonicum,
Linum usitatissimum and Pistacia lantiscus (Hifzul, 2003).
Anooshdaru Sada
It is a Persian word, which means Dawae Hazim
(Digestive). It is an Indian origin drug. In Arabs, this drug
Akram et al. 4161
was introduced by Kindi. It is also known as Jawarish
Kindi. It is also called Majun Panjnosh /Fanjnosh due to
its five ingredients. This is available in Pakistan and India
varying more or less ingredients. It is effective in gastric
disorders, and is prescribed in viral, bacterial infections. It
is effective in loose motion; ingredients of this formulation
include Rosa damascena flower, Cyperus scariosus root,
Valerina wallichil DC root, Pistacia lantiscus gum,
Caryophyllus aromatica bud, Nardostachis jatamansi
root, Myristica fragrans fruit coat, and Amomum
subulatum seed ((Hifzul, 2003).
RESEARCH STUDY
The effect of steep water and slurry from two varieties of
sorghum (red and white) was evaluated on some bacteria
that are involved in causing diarrhea; these organisms
includes Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella disenteriae,
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and
Enterobacter spp. Both the steep water and slurry were
found to be effective against all test organisms, except for
Enterobacter which was only inhibited by the steep water
from a white variety of sorghum. The slurry of white and
red sorghum were effective against E. coli and S.
dysenteriae, while the steep water from red and white
varieties were effective against S. dysenteriae. This study
shows that sorghum could be used to treat bacterial
diarrhea (Ojokoh, 2011). A study was conducted to
evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous, ethanol and
acetone extracts against 66 multidrug resistant isolates of
pathogens (E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis) by
disc diffusion method. Zingiber officinale and Punica
granatum exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli.
Terminalia chebula and Ocimum sanctum showed
antibacterial activity against K. pneumoniae.
Cinnamomum cassia was efficacious against P.
aeruginosa while A. indica and O. sanctum showed
antibacterial activity against E. faecalis. This study
validates the use of these medicinal plants in the
treatment of infectious diseseases (Anjana et al., 2009).
The antimicrobial activities of various extract of Z.
officinale (ginger) against E. coli and P. aeruginosa were
investigated using the Agar and tube diffusion method.
This study indicated that ginger is effective against these
organisms. This study shows its antimicrobial activity,
thus confirming its use in folk medicine (Auta et al, 2011).
Z. officinale has been used for treatment of diarrhea. A
study was carried out to evaluate the anti-diarrheal
activity of Z. officinale. Albino wistar rats were selected
for study. Diarrhoea was induced by castor oil. Z.
officinale extract was given to albino rats (wistar). The
level of protection offered by the extracts was compared
with a standard anti-diarrhea agent (Diphenoxylate). The
effect of the extract on the intestinal motility was also
investigated. The extract showed reduction in the transit
4162 J. Med. Plants Res.
time of ingested charcoal that is indicative of reduction in
the intestinal motility.
Conclusively, Z. officinale has anti-diarrhea activity.
Previous study shows that the extracts have anti-
microbial action as well (Nwoko et al., 2008). Diarrhea is
common in developing countries that are caused by
various organism including enteropathogenic E. coli
(EPEC). Pathology of enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC)
infection is due to the inflammatory responses of infected
intestinal epithelium through secretion of pro-
inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-8. Various
medicinal plants are used as antidiarrheal agents. A
study was carried out to investigate the effect of
medicinal plants on secretion of IL-8 by epithelial cells in
response to EPEC infection. For the study, four medicinal
plants were selected including Aegle marmelos, Cyperus
rotundus, Psidium guajava and Z. officinale. The
decoction of these plants was used to evaluate effect on
secretion of IL-8 by a human colon adenocarcinoma cell
line, HT-29 infected with E. coli E2348/69. Two protocols
were used, including pre-incubation and post-incubation.
Result of this study was that secretion of IL-8 was
decreased by P. guajava in the post-incubation protocol
and increased in the pre-incubation protocol. A similar
increase was seen with C. rotundus in the preincubation
protocol. There was no effect on IL-8 secretion by the A.
marmelos and Z. officinale in both protocols and with C.
rotundus in the post-incubation protocol. The post-
incubation protocol, in terms of clinical relevance,
indicates the effect of the plant decoctions when used as
treatment. Hence P. guajava is effective in reducing the
acute inflammatory response of the intestinal epithelial
cells in response to EPEC infection (Brijesh et al, 2011).
Conclusion
Modern medicine has also begun to admit that herbal
medicines are effective for various diseases. There are a
number of herbs that have anti-diarrheal activity. Basic
scientific research has helped us in understanding the
mechanisms by which medicinal plants exert the
therapeutic effects. In this work, the herbs that have
potential for treatment of diarrhea have been
documented. With great progress in the modern system
of medicine, herbal medicines are still in use for various
ailments. These are efficient, cost effective and exert
fewer side effects, according to several studies.
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