Evaluation of Antidiarrheal Activity of Aqueous Extract of Leaves of Melia Azedarach (Linn.)

Abstract

Theaim of this work was to investigate the antidiarrheal activity ofthe aqueous extract of leaves ofMelia azedarach(Meliaceae) in rats.Albino wistar rats weighing 120-200 gm of either sex were used. Theaqueousextractyieldwas8.7%,whichproducenomortalitiesinratsupto 5 g/kg, therefore it is well tolerated and relatively safe by oral route.The effects of the aqueous extract of Melia azedarach leaves on castoroil induced diarrhea and gastrointestinal motility test using charcoalmeal methods were examined. The effect of extract at different doses(50, 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) was assayed on the latent periods,fecal frequencies in castor oil induced diarrhea, and then confirmed attwodoses(200and500mg/kg)ongastrointestinaltransitusingcharcoalmeal.The results revealed a significant (p<0.05) reduction of the feacaloutputincastoroilinduceddiarrhea.The percentreductionindiarrhealepisode were 42.70%, 46.03%, 64.32% and 73.52% at doses of 50mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of theextract respectively after castor oil challenge. The extract was alsofound to reduce the gastrointestinal motility by 47.46 %, and 39.41% at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, peristaltic movements incharcoal meal test, indicating its antidiarrheal activity. The resultsprovide evidence that the aqueous extract ofMelia azedarachleavespossess antidiarrheal activity. The results indicated that the aqueousextract possesses antidiarrheal activity