Antidiarhoeal activity of Cucumis sativus leaves.

Abstract

The present study was aimed to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal activity of crude methanol (ME) extracts of leaves of Cucumis sativus. The methanolic extract (ME) of the plant was studied for its antidiarrhoeal properties in experimental diarrhoea, induced by castor oil and gastrointestinal transit test in mice, at the oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight. In antidiarrhoeal study, ME showed significant (P< 0.001) dose-dependent inhibitory activity against castor oil induced diarrhoea. A significant reduction (P< 0.001) in the gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal test in mice was also observed, suggesting the extract might exert its antidiarrhoeal activity by antisecretory mechanism. Further investigations are, however, necessary to explore mechanism(s) of action involved in this antidiarhoeal activities.