Phytochemical Investigation and Anti-Diarrheal Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Fruits of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae)

Background: Cucurbitaceae family is one of the best genetically assorted accumulations of restorative plants in the plant kingdom. Previous studies have suggested that Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. plant parts (root, stem, leaf, fruits, and seeds) have been utilized in the traditional system of medicine. Pharmacological activities reported for this plant include antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, anti-diabetic activity, anti-hyperlipidemic activity. The antidiarrheal activity of hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of this plant is reported for the first time in the present study. Objective: To evaluate the anti-diarrheal activity of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae) in experimentally induced diarrhea in Wistar rats. Materials and methods: Hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of Citrullus colocynthis was examined for its acute toxicity on rats, in order to establish the safe doses. Castor oil induced diarrhea model and gastrointestinal motility test using barium sulfate milk were done to assess the antidiarrheal activity of plant extracts. Extract of Citrullus colocynthis at the dose of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and per se group (100 mg/kg) were used in Wistar rats of either sex. Loperamide (2 mg/kg) was taken as a standard drug in both the models. Results: Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, tannins, and carbohydrates. The acute toxicity studies revealed that extract is relatively safe when given orally; no death was recorded at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. The dose of 100 mg/kg (P<0.001) and 50 mg/kg (P<0.01) of plant fruit extract significantly reduced defecation frequency in 6 h and also increased the latency time which showed similar effects as produced in loperamide treated group. Both doses of fruit extract and loperamide reduced the gastrointestinal motility in Wistar rats significantly (P<0.001). Conclusion: The hydroalcoholic extract of fruits of Citrullus colocynthis showed significant antidiarrheal activity and supports its use as a complementary and alternative medicine for treatment of diarrhea. Although WHO launched Diarrhea Disease Control Program in 1983 to eradicate diarrhea in developing countries included measures like use of traditional remedies, but more than 85% of plants still wait for scientific results in terms of their pharmacological activities [6]. Herbal medicines indicate potential uses in future in light of the fact that the greater part of the plants, their activities, and pharmacological actions have not been investigated totally [7]. The more noteworthy efficiency of plant-origin medicines is because of the antioxidative role which prevents oxidation and provides protection to living beings from harm caused by excessive generation of ROS, lipid peroxidation, DNA strand breaking and protein damage. Prevention of cell oxidative damage, therefore, limits the events of the vast majority of the illnesses. It is the world's third most elevated executioner illness to undernourished, children [8]. It is explicitly stated that diarrhea mars the intestinal antioxidant defense system which will make it confused and cause other oxidative stress disorders and in this way, Citation: Dhakad PK (2017) Phytochemical Investigation and Anti-Diarrheal Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Fruits of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. (Cucurbitaceae). J Mol Genet Med 11: 305 doi:10.4172/1747-0862.1000305 Volume 11 • Issue 4 • 1000305 J Mol Genet Med, an open access journal ISSN: 1747-0862 Page 2 of 6 antioxidants may take up an essential application in the treatment of diarrhea [9]. The revelation of viable anti-microbial agents, vaccines have diminished the overwhelming effect of irresistible maladies and enhanced personal satisfaction. However, the efficacy of many antimicrobials is being undermined by the development of microbial resistance to existing chemotherapeutic agents [10]. Despite many efforts taken by the government and international organizations as well as advancement in medicines current rate of diarrheal patients is still high at large. It is necessary to identify and evaluate the indigenous plants for the treatment of diarrhea as allopathic medicines have both adverse effects and toxicities. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Citrullus colocynthis Schrad (family Cucurbitaceae), also known as colocynth or bitter apple or Indian wild gourd (Hindi-Indrayan) is a desert plant wildly distributed in hot arid areas of the world, including Pakistan, India and Saudi Arabia [11]. It is a perennial herbaceous crawling plant, possessing rough and angular stems. Leaves are rough, 5 to 10 cm long, 3 to 7-lobed and fruits are almost globular, 4 to 10 cm in breadth about the extent of a little orange. Customarily, the poultice of colocynth is utilized to battle rheumatic agony. The leaves have been utilized for the agonizing feminine cycle and in the treatment of asthma. The fruit pulp is laxative, utilized as diuretic, cathartic and furthermore utilized against gonorrhea [12]. The watery pulp extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruits is used for the treatment of kidney, liver-related diseases. The fruits and leaves of this plant contain cucurbitacins A, B, C and D and α elaterin and probably other constituents. Phytochemical investigations of its bitter principles ‘cucurbitacins’ were numerous [13]. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds are widely distributed in plants which have been reported to exert multiple biological effects, including antioxidant, free radical scavenging abilities, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, etc Cucurbitacins are reported to be the main constituent of fruits of this plant [14]. The various antidiarrheal therapies and their mechanisms of action include proabsorptive action by ORS/RS-ORS (Oral rehydration solution/ Resistant starch-based oral rehydration solution) responsible for increase in glucose/SCFA (Short-chain fatty acids) absorption, antisecretory action through following ways – (a) CFTR (Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) and CaCC (Ca+2 activated chloride channels), (b) decrease in bile salt in lumen (c) decreasing PG (Prostaglandins) synthesis which results in reduction of intestinal secretions. Antimotility action has also been seen by various compounds like loperamide act by increasing μ opioid receptor hence decreasing the motility, hyoscyamine reduces the acetylcholine (Ach) action on muscles thereby decreasing muscle contractions, Alosetron works by inhibiting serotonergic (5 HT3) receptor action and decreases the intestinal motility as well as secretion, Racecadotril increases encephalin endogenously which also decreases gut secretions. Clonidine acts on adrenergic receptors and activates the α2 adrenoceptor which results in increasing the absorption. Anti-inflammatory action is seen by corticosteroids through immunosuppression by decreasing prostaglandins and increasing IL-10 (Interleukins), while Anti-TNFα causes a decrease in blood and tissue TNFα (Tumor necrosis factor) [15]. Currently, there is no scientific evidence in the literature on the effect of Citrullus colocynthis on diarrhea. Hence present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of dried fruit extract of C. colocynthis on the experimentally induced diarrhea in Wistar rats. Acute toxicity study and phytochemical investigations of dried fruit extract were also done. Materials and Methods