Aqueous leaf extract of Psidium guajava (Guava) was evaluated for anti-diarrhoeal activity against castor oil-induced diarrhoea in albino rats. 50 and 100mg/kg (body weight) doses of the leaf extract showed a dose-dependent anti-diarrhoeal activity comparable to a standard anti-diarrhoeal drug Diphenoxylate given intraperitoneally at 5mg/kg (b.w.) Also, the extract reduced intestinal transit time in charcoal meal test in the same manner. A 100mg/kg dose of the extract also showed an anti-enteropooling effect comparable to a standard anti-enteropooling agent Chlopromazine (20mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Further studies are needed to isolate the effective components of the leaf extract.
Key words: Anti-diarrhoeal Activity, Psidium guajava, Castor oil induced, Diarrhoea
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