Studies on antidiarrhoeal activity of Jatropha curcus root extract in albino mice

Use of Jatropha curucus L. roots in the treatment of diarrhoea is a common ethnobotanical practice in Konkan, a part of the Western coastal area of In dia. Roots of this species were undertaken for pharmacognostic studies and evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activity in albino mice. Successive solvent ex traction was carried out using petroleum ether (60-80 degrees C) and methan ol. The methanol extract showed activity against castor oil induced diarrho ea and intraluminal accumulation of fluid. It also reduced gastrointestinal motility after charcoal meal administration in albino mice. The results in dicate that action of J. curcus root methanol extract could be through a co mbination of inhibition of elevated prostaglandin biosynthesis and reduced propulsive movement of the small intestine. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Irela nd Ltd. All rights reserved.