Table 1.

Activity and mode of action of phytochemical

Phytochemicals	Activity/ mode of action	References
Quinones	It shows antimicrobial activity that binds to the adhesions, form complex with the cell wall and enzymes get inactivated	Cowan (1999)
Flavanoids	It shows antimicrobial activity that forms complex with the cell wall and binds to the adhesions	Cowan (1999), Kumar et al. (2010)
	It has antidiarrheal activity that prevents the release of autacoids and prostaglandins, also prevent the contraction which is caused by the spasmogens, it also normalize the water transport across the mucosal cells, it prevent the release acetylcholine from gastrointestinal tract
Polyphenols and tannins	It show the antimicrobial activity that binds to the adhesions, inhibit the enzymes, form complex with the cell wall, and disrupt the cell membrane	Cowan (1999)
		Mute et al. (2009)
	It also possess the antidiarrheal activity that makes mucosa present in the intestine more resistant and also reduce secretion, it normalize the water transport system across the mucosal cells and also reduce the intestinal transit, it also block the binding of enterotoxin to GM which results in enterotoxin-induced diarrhea and show astringent action	Sharma et al. (2009), Kumar et al. (2010)
	It also has anthelmintic activity that it forms protein complexes that help in increasing digestible protein in rumen, it decrease the gastrointestinal metabolism
Terpenoids and essential oils	It shows the antimicrobial activity that disrupts the membrane system	Cowan (1999)
	It also shows the antidiarrheal activity that prevents the release of prostaglandins and autacoids
Alkaloids	It shows the antimicrobial activity that interchelates the cell wall of parasites	Cowan (1999), Mute et al. (2009)
	It also shows the antidiarrheal activity that prevents the release of prostaglandins and autacoids	Kumar et al. (2010)
	It shows the anthelmintic activity that helps in synthesis of protein by generating nitrate, it suppress the transfer of sugar to intestine, it also acts on central nervous system causing paralysis	Sharma et al. (2009)
Polypeptides and lectins	It shows the antiviral activity by forming the disulfide bridges it block the viral adsorption	Wang et al. (2010)
Glycosides	It shows the antidiarrheal activity that prevents the release of prostaglandins and autacoids	Kumar et al. (2010)
Steroids	It shows the antidiarrheal activity that increases the transport of sodium and water to the intestinal	Maniyar et al. (2010)
Saponins	It shows the antidiarrheal activity that prevents the histamine to release	Maniyar et al. (2010)
	It shows the anticancer activity that shows the membrane permeabilizing properties	Wang et al. (2010)
	It shows the anthelmintic activity teguments disintegrate
Coumarins	It shows the antiviral activity that interacts with the DNA	Wang et al. (2010)