Anti-diarrhoeal activity of the latex of Calotropis procera

The dry latex (DL) of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae), a potent anti-in flammatory agent has been evaluated for anti-diarrhoeal activity. Like atro pine and phenylbutazone (PBZ). a single oral dose of DL (500 mg/kg) produce d a significant decrease in frequency of defecation, severity of diarrhoea and afforded protection from diarrhoea in 80% rats treated with castor oil. To understand the mechanism of its anti-diarrhoeal activity. we further ev aluated its effect on intestinal transit, castor oil induced intestinal flu id accumulation (enteropooling) and electrolyte concentration in the intest inal fluid. DL produced a decrease in intestinal transit (27-37%) as compar ed to both normal and castor oil treated animals. Unlike atropine, DL signi ficantly inhibited castor oil induced enteropooling. However, it did not al ter the electrolyte concentration in the intestinal fluid as compared to ca stor oil treated rats. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights re served.