Studies on Pongamia pinnata （L.） Pierre leaves： understanding the mechanism（s） of action in infectious diarrhea

• Published in: Journal of Zhejiang University. B. Science Vol. 7; no. 8; pp. 665 - 674
• Main Author: BRIJESH S. DASWANI P.G. TETALI P. ROJATKAR S.R. ANTIA N.H. BIRDI T.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: 止泻药; 肠毒素; 药用植物
• ISSN: 1673-1581; 1862-1783

While data are available on the effect of medicinal plants on intestinal motility and their antibacterial action, there is a paucity of information on their mode of action on various aspects of diarrheal pathogenicity, namely colonization to intestinal epithelial cells and production/action of enterotoxins. Crude decoction of dried leaves of Pongamia pinnata was evaluated for its antimicrobial （antibacterial, antigiardial and antirotaviral） effect; and its effect on production and action of enterotoxins （cholera toxin, CT; Escherichia coli labile toxin, LT; and E. coli stable toxin, ST）; and adherence of enteropathogenic E. coli and invasion of enteroinvasive E. coli and Shigellaflexneri to epithelial cells. The decoction had no antibacterial, antigiardial and antirotaviral activity, but reduced production of CT and bacterial invasion to epithelial cells. The observed results indicated that the crude decoction ofP. pinnata has selective antidiarrheal action with efficacy against cholera and enteroinvasive bacterial strains causing bloody diarrheal episodes.