Abstract

ANTI-DIARRHEAL ACTIVITY OF LEAVES EXTRACTS OF LINUM USITATISSIMUM IN ANIMAL MODELS

R. Naga Kishore*

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate scientifically the antidiarrheal effect of Linum usitatissimum using castor oil-induced diarrhoea model. The anti-diarrheal effect of aqueous and alcoholic extract of leaves of Linum usitatissimum was studied against castor oilinduced- diarrhea model in rats. The gastrointestinal transit rate was expressed as the percentage of the longest distance traversed by the charcoal divided by the total length of the small intestine. The weight and volume of intestinal content induced by castor oil were studied by enteropooling method. Like atropine (3mg/kg, i.p.) there were significant reductions in fecal output and frequency of droppings when the plant extracts of aqueous 100 and 200 mg/kg doses were administered intraperitoneally compared with castor oil treated rats. All doses of the plant extract significantly retarded the castor-oil induced enteropooling and intestinal transit. The remarkable anti-diarrheal effect of Linum usitatissimum extract against castor oil-induced diarrhea model attests to its utility in a wide range of diarrheal states.

Keywords: Linum usitatissimumpusillus, Anti-Diarroheal, Castor oil, Atropine.