RESUMEN
Objective: To evaluate the anti-diarrheal effect of Methanol extract of Curcuma Longa, and to compare it with Loperamide in albino rats
Methodology: This experimental animal study was performed in the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Basic Medical Sciences Institute [BMSI], Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC], Karachi, in collaboration with BMSI Animal house, from May 2013 to December 2014. Dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa were purchased from local market of Karachi and soaked in 100% methanol, which was later evaporated to yield a semisolid extract. Seventy-two albino rats were used, which were randomly assigned into 3 groups of 24 rats. Each group was further divided into 4 subgroups. In each group, one subgroup was control, one was standard [loperamide group] and two subgroups were given 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of methanol extract of Curcuma Longa orally. Anti-diarrheal effect was assessed by counting total number of feces after castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil-induced enteropooling and gastrointestinal motility test
Results: The methanol extract of Curcuma Longa showed significant anti-diarrheal activity evidenced by the reduction in defecation, decreased intestinal transit of charcoal meal and decreased enteropooling after castor oil-induced diarrhea
Conclusion: Curcuma Longa had potent anti-diarrheal affect and can replace synthetic drugs like loperamide. These effects were related to phytochemicals present in it