Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal effect of acetone extract fraction from the stem bark of T. Populnea

Thespesia populnea is traditionally used for the treatment of diarrhoea in India. In this study, acetone extract fraction from the stem bark of T. populnea (AFTP) was evaluated for its antidiarrhoeal activity. Acute oral toxicity (AOT) of AFTP was conducted as per OECD guidelines 425. AOT results revealed that AFTP is safe up to 2000 mg/kg. The antidiarrhoeal effect was evaluated by three experimentally induced diarrhoea models i.e. Castor oil induced diarrhoea, Prostaglandin E2 (PG-E2) induced enteropooling in rats and charcoal meal test in mice. AFTP at the dose level of 2 and 4 mg/kg decreased the mean weight of faeces in castor oil induce diarrhoea. AFTP (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the mean volume of intestinal fluid in a dose dependent manner. AFTP 1, 2, 4 mg/kg decreased the intestinal propulsion of charcoal meal in the mice similar to the standard drug Atropine. These results suggest that AFTP could be developed as a potential antidiarrhoeal agent.