Abstract

A PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ANTI-DIARRHEAL ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS LEAVES EXTRACT OF PHYLLANTHUS AMARUS IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED DIARRHEA IN RATS

Suchita Singh Chauhan, Hemant Kumar Sharma

Abstract

Objective: To investigate anti-diarrheal potential of aqueous leavesextract of Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) by castor oil induceddiarrhea, charcoal meal test and PGE2 induced diarrhea in mice.Methods: The test group received various doses (100, 200 and 400mg/kg) of the aqueous extract, whereas positive control (standard)Atropine. Albino wistar rats (150-200g) of either sex were used for thestudy. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed thatpresence of tannins, glycosides and alkaloids. The intraperitoneal LD50of the extract was found to be at doses of 5, 50, 300 and 2000 producedno mortality or apparent toxic signs. Aqueous extract of P. amarusexhibited a concentration-dependent action of castor oil induceddiarrhea. The result suggested could act centrally and inhibit the PGE2to give anti-diarrheal effects. Results of charcoal meal test alsosuggested its anti-muscarinic activity. Conclusions: These findingsuggest that aqueous extract of P. amarus remarkable effect in the treatment of diarrhea,corroborating to folk use of P. amarus preparation and contribution for its pharmacologicalvalidation.

Keywords: Phyllanthus amarus, castor oil, Diarrhea, Charcoal meal, PGE2.