Antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of leaves of Oxalis corniculata Linn

Abstract

Aim- In order to scientifically appraise some of the anecdotal, folkloric, ethinomedical uses of Oxalis corniculata Linn., the present study was undertaken to examine the antidiarrhoeal properties of aqueous (AQOC) and alcoholic (ALOC) extracts of leaves of Oxalis corniculata Linn. Material & methods- Antidiarrhoeal effect was evaluated by castor oil induced diarrhoea, charcoal meal test and PGE2 induced diarrhoea. Loperamide (LPM-3 mg/kg) and atropine (ATR-5 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs for comparison. AQOC and ALOC were used in the doses of 300, 500 and 800 mg/kg. Results- Both AQOC and ALOC produced significant dose dependant antidiarrhoeal effect, showed (P<0.01) significant delay in on set of diarrhoea and reduced the number of wet defecation in castor oil induced diarrhoea and also inhibited PGE2 induced enteropooling significantly in rats by respective doses. The extracts were also decreased the propulsion of the charcoal meal through gastrointestinal tract. Conclusion- Results suggest that the antidiarrhoeal effect of both the AQOC and ALOC probably due to the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis and/or prevention of consequences of prostaglandin release and also by its smooth muscle relaxant activity.