EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY OF ANTIDIARRHEAL ACTIVITY OF SALICAIRINE(R)

Experimental antidiarrheal activity of a traditionally used medication , Salicairine(R), was demonstrated in comparison to loperamide by sign ificant inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice (increases i n hard faeces/total faeces ratio of 38 and 54 and 5 and 54% with respe ct to controls, at 0.5 and 1 mL/kg and 1 and 2 mg/kg, respectively) an d bisacodyl-induced increase in large intestine transit in rats (125 a nd 280 and 210% with respect to controls, at 0.4 and 2 mL/kg Salicairi ne(R) and 5 mg/kg loperamide, respectively). Salicairine(R) was able t o reduce contractions of isolated rat duodenum induced by barium chlor ide and acetylcholine, although not completely (that is about 60%) as seen with loperamide. Also, it did not change normal gastrointestinal transit in mice at doses of 0.5 to 1 mL/kg, conversely to loperamide w hich had a significant effect (decrease of 50%) at 2 mg/kg. Finally, S alicairine(R) at 0.01 mL/mL, like loperamide at 0.2 mg/mL, significant ly increased net fluid absorption in rat colon, either in basal condit ions (30 and 64% respectively) or after a prostaglandin E-1-induced in crease in net fluid secretion (41 and 35%, respectively). The antidiar rheal activity of Salicairine(R) is possibly related, at least in part , to an increase in colon net fluid absorption or a decrease in net fl uid secretion. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris.