Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Hemidesmus Indicus Root

Objective: To analyse the antidiarrhoeal activity of Hemidesmatus indicus (L) R. Br root aqueous (HIRAE) and ethanolic (HIREE) extracts. Methods: HIRAE and HIREE at the dose of 100 and 200mg/kg bw was used to assess antidiarrheal activity in albino rats. Antidiarrheal activity was studied with reference to castor oil diarrhea for assessing faecal score, intestinal transit and enteropooling and compared with loperamide. Results: HIRAE and HIREE significantly reduced the diarrheal effect by decreasing faecal droppings, intestinal transit and intestinal fluid secretions. Ethanolic extract at 200mg/kg bw showed 75.5% protective effect in faecal score, 51.2% in intestinal dropping and 56.6% for intestinal fluid secretion. Conclusion: Results of this study suggests that Hemidesmus indicus root could be considered as a better antidiarrheal agent M. R. Govt. Arts College, Mannargudi, Thiruvarur DT, Tamilnadu. Email: [email protected]