Pharmacological studies of anti diarrhoeal activity of Casuarina equisetifolia (L.) in experimental animals

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate scientifically the anti-diarrhoeal effects of ethanolic (90%) extract of Casuarina equisetifolia Linn (EECE) was studied against castor oil-induced-diarrhoea model in rats. Antidiarrhoeal activity of 90% ethanol extract of Casuarina equisetifolia was investigated in this study using castor oil-induced-diarrhoea, enteropooling and Small intestinal transit models in rats. The weight and volume of intestinal content induced by castor oil were studied by enteropooling method. Standard drug diphenoxylate (5 ml/kg, p.o) was significant reductions in fecal output and frequency of droppings whereas EECE at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg p.o significantly (P<0.001) reduced the castor-oil induced frequency and consistency of diarrhoea and enteropooling. The gastrointestinal transit rate was expressed as the percentage of the longest distance travelled by the charcoal divided by the total length of the small intestine. EECE at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly inhibited (P<0.001) the castor oil induced charcoal meal transit. The EECE showed marked reduction in the number of diarrhoea stools and the reduction in the weight and volume of the intestinal contents, as well as a modest reduction in intestinal transit. The results obtained establish the efficacy and substantiate the folklore claim as an antidiarrheal agent. Further studies are needed to completely understand the mechanism of anti-diarrhoeal action of Casuarina equisetifolia Linn.