Author Spotlight: Advancing Antidiarrheal Research with the Drosophila Model

Our research focuses on the scientific validation of traditional remedies, including medicinal plants. We are trying to better understand the pharmacological action, especially antidiarrheal and antibacterial effects of these remedies. To test the antidiarrheal effects of medicinal plants, mice models are usually employed, but the process is time consuming and expensive, and it requires a large quantity of plant material to be tested.

By using Drosophila melanogaster as a model, we aim to improve the discovery process of new antidiarrhea agents by reducing the experimental time and also the quantity of plant material used. We also aim to provide a scientific rationale for the use of antidiarrhea plants in traditional medicine by using a simple and effective model. Our findings will help scientists to perform bio-guided fractionation for plant extracts and thus allow the discovery of compounds that are responsible for the antidiarrhea activity.