Antidiarrheal Activity of a Mysterious Herb, Gynura Procumbense in Albino Swiss Mice

Abstract

In order to evaluate the activity of extracts on a castor oil-induced diarrhea model, three groups of rats (3 animals per group) were injected with ethanolic extracts of Gynura Procumbens (300 and 600mg / kg body weight) Orally in albino swiss mice. The other two groups received normal saline (3 mg / kg body weight) and loperamide (3 mg / kg body weight) as a positive control. The effect of the extract on intestinal passage and castor oil-induced intestinal fluid accumulation (intestinal reservoir) was evaluated. A significant and dose-dependent antidiarrheal activity was showed by the plant extract at oral doses of 300mg/kg and 600mg/kg body weight. The protective role of the extract at 600 mg / kg was comparable to that of loperamide (3 mg / kg) standard. No mortality and signs of visible weakness were observed in rats following administration of extracts at doses up to 1000 mg / kg. Our results showed that the extract of Gynura procumbens had significant antidiarrhoeic activity supporting its use in traditional herbal medicine practice.