Abstract

BIOACTIVE POTENTIAL OF SOYMIDA FEBRIFUGA BARK: A NATURAL ANTIDIARRHOEAL AGENT

Rohit Purohit*, Dr. J. S. Vaghela

Abstract

Diarrhoea remains one of the leading global health concerns, especially in developing countries where infectious agents and poor sanitation contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality. The limitations of conventional therapies, coupled with growing antimicrobial resistance, have stimulated interest in traditional medicinal plants as alternative remedies. Soymida febrifuga (Roxb.) A. Juss., belonging to the family Meliaceae, is an ethnomedicinally significant plant widely used in Indian traditional medicine. Its bark is reputed for treating fever, wounds, ulcers, and gastrointestinal disorders, including diarrhoea. Phytochemical investigations have revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and glycosides that may contribute to its antidiarrhoeal efficacy. Pharmacological studies suggest that bark extracts exhibit significant antidiarrhoeal activity by reducing gastrointestinal motility, decreasing intestinal secretions, and exerting antimicrobial effects against diarrhoea-causing pathogens. This review consolidates the ethnomedicinal relevance, phytochemical profile, pharmacological evidence, and potential mechanisms underlying the antidiarrhoeal activity of S. febrifuga bark, highlighting its promise as a natural therapeutic agent and future candidate for phytopharmaceutical development.

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