ABSTRACT
Diarrhea is one of the world's health problems as the most common causes of death in children. In this study, the effect of Teucrium Polium [TP] extract on diarrhea induced by castor oil has been studied. 30 male rats were divided into five equal groups containing extract with doses of 100, 200 and 600 mg/kg; diphenoxylate [5 mg/kg]; and control group or vehicle [normal saline] groups. One hour after feeding the drugs or vehicle in the volume of 10 ml/kg, 2 ml of castor oil were fed to each animal through an oral-gastric catheter. Then excrements of animals were separately observed in the cages for 4 hours and their quality, frequency and stool weight were determined. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-test and p<0.05 was considered as significant. Diphenoxylate and 600 mg/kg dose of TP reduced the percentage of the weight loss of animals, their excretion frequency and defecation index [p< 0.001]. The 600 mg/kg dose of TP decreased the fecal water content compared to the control group [p< 0.01]. Based on our data, essential oil of TP has an effect similar to diphenoxylate on the reduction of osmotic diarrhea symptoms and also reduces the volume of excreted water