A study on the evaluation of anti-diarrhoeal efficacy of a polyherbal formulation versus loperamide in rat models

Abstract

Objective To assess the efficacy of a new polyherbal  formulation LQ14 for acute diarrhea in rats and to explore its mechanism of action as an anti-diarrhoeal agent. Materials and methods Wistar albino rats (average body weight 150g) were divided into five groups of six animals each. Group 1 control (2 ml/kg distilled water), group 2 received loperamide (3 mg/kg) served as standard and group 3, 4, and 5 received test drug LQ14 (1 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg and 4 ml/kg respectively) 1 hour before castor oil administration. All drugs were given by oral route. Diarrhea was induced by administering 1 ml of castor oil. Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhoea, Castor Oil-Induced Enteropooling and Small Intestinal Transit were the models used in this study. Results LQ14 possess significant anti-diarrhoeal activity due to its effect on reduction of frequency of diarrhoea episodes, delay in gastrointestinal propulsion and inhibition of fluid accumulation in the intestinal tract of rats. Conclusion The new polyherbal formulation was found to possess anti-diarrhoeal activity as it showed significant reduction of number of diarrhoea stools, delayed gastrointestinal propulsion and inhibition of fluid accumulation in the intestinal tract of rat