Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous bulb extract of Allium cepa against castor oil-induced diarrhoea.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous bulb extract of Allium cepa. The Antidiarrhoeal effect was evaluated by castor oil- induced diarrhoeal model in rats. Loperamide (3 mg/kg, p.o.) was taken as standard, aqueous bulb extract of Allium cepa 150 & 300 mg/kg was used as a test doses.The results showed significant (p<0.05) antidiarrhoeal activity on gastrointestinal motility with castor oil- induced diarrhoeal model in rats. The extract tested at 150 and 300 mg/kg shown similar effect as that of standard drug (loperamide) by significantly inhibiting the frequency of defecation droppings compared to untreated control rats. This result is in support of previous claims in respect of antidiarrhoeal herbs.The study revealed that the aqueous bulb extract possess Pharmacological activity against diarrhoea and may possibly explain the use of the plant in traditional medicine.