Antidiarrheal and Electrolyte-modulatory Effects of Manihot esculenta Flakes: Sugar-added Versus Sugar-free Aqueous Suspensions in Castor Oil-induced Diarrheal Rats

Abstract

Diarrhea remains a worldwide public health priority, particularly in resource-poor settings where access to conventional pharmaceutical therapy may be compromised. Current drugs for diarrhea, including loperamide, while effective, have such limitations as cost, side effects, and availability that safe, cheap, and convenient local substitutes are preferable. This study was aimed at evaluating the antidiarrheal, electrolyte-restorative, and intestinal mucosal healing effect of sugar-free and sugar-containing suspensions of Manihot esculenta flakes (garri) in castor oil-induced models of diarrhea in rats. Garri had an impressive antidiarrheal effect, reducing diarrheal feces to 4.52 ± 0.49, equivalent to 52.4% inhibition, very closely comparable to that of the sugar-containing preparation (4.61 ± 0.67; 51.4%) and approaching the standard drug, loperamide (3.78 ± 0.13; 60.2%). In enteropooling model, garri lowered intestinal content weight and volume of liquid to 2.08 ± 0.80 g and 1.52 ± 0.41 ml, respectively, comparable with loperamide (2.57 ± 1.56 g, 1.78 ± 0.12 ml). The type with added sugar, though effective, showed slightly lower efficacy (2.98 ± 0.48 g, 1.61 ± 0.67 ml). Garri inhibition of intestinal motility was 24.5% (charcoal distance: 31.52 ± 1.09 cm), and 25.8% with sugar, compared to 29.1% with loperamide. Electrolyte analyses showed that garri normalized serum chloride, sodium, and potassium in rats compared to untreated rat castor oil-depleted group. Histological analysis confirmed mucosal regeneration, reduced inflammation, and improved integrity of submucosal glands in garri groups, where greater results were noted in the sugar-free version. These findings provide scientific basis for the historical use of M. esculenta flakes as a diarrheal traditional remedy. The flakes, especially when administered without sugar, may constitute a cheap acceptable cultural option with equal efficacy to that of traditional pharmacotherapy, justifying their further investigation as adjunct therapy for treatment of diarrheal disease.