Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal potential of poly herbal formulation against castor oil induced diarrhoea in rodents

Abstract

Diarrhoea is the frequent passing of loose, watery and unformed faeces. Loss of fluids through diarrhoea can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance and ultimately leads to death. The aim and objective of the present study is to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal potential of the poly herbal formulation (Anogeissus latifolia, Elephantopus scaber, Euphorbia hirta ) against castor oil induced diarrhoea.In the current study Polyherbal solution was formulated using various plant extracts listed above and mixed with excipients and evaluated for physicochemical and antidiarrhoeal activity. The standard drug used for study was loperamide. Animals was divided in to five groups of 6 animals each and diarrhea was induced by administration of castor oil at a dose of 1ml/kg b.w and the poly herbal formulation was administered at 200 & 400mg/kg dose levels orally. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated by estimating the mean number of droppings mean weight of droppings and % intestinal transit. Results were analysed by oneway ANOVA followed by Dunnet’s test. Studies revealed that poly herbal formulation at doses 200 & 400 mg/kg b.w p.o showed significant results in a dose dependent manner comparable with that of standard Lopramide 5mg/kg b.w.