Effects of hydroethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis (Promax-c) on castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice

The aim of our work was to evaluate the effect of hydroethanolic extract of Cameroonian propolis (Promax-c) on castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice. Diarrhea was induced in mice by oral administration 0.5 mL of castor oil in all mice. To determine the effective doses, each mouse received, 30 minutes after the administration of castor oil, one of the single oral doses of Promax-c: 0, 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg bw. The mass and frequency of stool were measured and recorded per hour for five hours. The effect of Promax-c on the intestinal motility was evaluated by measuring the distance traveled by the charcoal meal in thirty minutes. The effects of Promax-c on intestinal secretion were evaluated by measuring the volume of the intestinal content and by dosing the electrolytes (Na+, K+, and Cl-) in the intestinal content by the colorimetric method. Promax-c produced significant (P <0.01) decreases, respectively, 29.16%, 62.50%, 62.50%, and 79.17% in the severity of diarrhea. Promax-c at 75 and 150 mg/kg bw exhibited significant (P <0.01) reduction on intestinal transit (12.30% and 24.86%, respectively) as compared to normal control and showed a significant (P <0.01) decrease of castor oil-induced enteropooling (48.64% and 56.75%, respectively) as compared to diarrheal control. This extract significantly (P <0.01) reduced the secretion of electrolytes (Na+, K+ and Cl-) and kept the stool osmotic gap at a normal value. The results we obtained allow us to affirm that the ethanolic extract of propolis (Promax-c) would have an antidiarrheal activity.