EVALUATION OF ANTI-DIARRHOEAL ACTIVITY OF PUNICA GRANATUM STEM BARK

Evaluation of anti-diarrhoeal effect of Punica granatum stem bark ethanolic extract was carried out on various experimental animal models of diarrhea. Different paragons used were castor oil induced diarrhoea, magnesium sulphate induced diarrhoea, castor oil induced enteropooling and gastrointestinal motility test. The various parameters recorded were onset of diarrhoea, mean number of fecal drops, mean weight of fecal matter, mean weight of small intestine, volume of fluid accumulation in the intestine and mean distance travelled by charcoal meal in the intestine. The test extract demonstrated dose dependent significant anti-diarrhoeal effect. The results of this investigation revealed that, 70% hydroalcoholic extract of Punica granatum stem bark contains pharmacologically active substance(s) with anti-diarrhoeal efficacy.