Effect of antidiarrhoeal formulation against barium sulphate induced small intestinal transit and castor oil induced diarrhoea in rats

Alcoholic extract of antidiarrhoeal formulation [ADF] containing Holarrhena antidysentrica, Aegle marmelos and Punica granatum was investigated for antidiarrhoeal activity against barium sulphate induced small intestinal transit and castor oil induced diarrhoea in rats. The control, standard and test groups of experimental animals were administered with distilled water, lomotil and ADF [250 mg and 500 mg/kg] orally. Barium sulphate and castor oil were administered after 15 and 60 min. respectively in each group of first and second experiment. The distance travelled by barium sulphate in small intestine was measured after 15 and 30 min. of barium sulphate administration and diarrhoea was observed every 30 min. for 6 hours after castor oil administration. The study showed that ADF caused significant reduction in the distance travelled by barium sulphate and castor oil induced diarrhoea. Thus ADF may have the potential to reduce the diarrhoea in rats