Anup Maiti, Saikat Dewanjee, *Subhash C Mandal

Purpose: The seeds of Swietenia macrophylla are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diarrhoea. Thus the petroleum ether extract of Swietenia macrophylla (Meliaceae) seeds was investigated for its anti-diarrhoeal property in Wister albino rats to substantiate folklore claim.

Methods: Petroleum ether extract of the seeds of this plant, at graded doses (25, 50 & 100mg/kg body weight) was investigated for anti-diarrhoeal activity in term of reduction in the rate of defecation and consistency of faeces in castor oil induced diarrhoea. To understand the mechanism of its anti-diarrhoeal activity, its effect was further evaluated on intestinal transit and castor oil induced intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling).

Results: At various doses (25, 50 & 100mg/kg body weight) the extract showed a remarkable anti-diarrhoeal activity evidenced by the reduction in the rate of defecation and consistency of faeces. Results are comparable to that of standard drug diphenoxylate (50mg/kg body weight). A single oral dose of Swietenia macrophylla extract of 100mg/kg body weight produced a significant decrease in the severity of diarrhoea. Extract produced profound decrease in intestinal transit (4.45 - 34.60%) also significantly inhibited castor oil induced enteropooling comparable to that of intraperitoneal injection of standard drug atropine sulphate at doses of 0.1 mg/kg body weight and 3 mg/kg body weight respectively.

Conclusions: Experimental findings showed that petroleum ether extract of seeds of Swietenia macrophylla possess significant anti-diarrhoeal activity and may be a potent source of anti-diarrhoeal drug in future.

 

Key words: Swietenia macrophylla, anti-diarrhoeal activity, castor oil, atropine sulphate.

 

*Correspondence: 0091-33-24676316 (Residential), 0091-33-24146126 (Office). Fax: 0091-33-28371078. E-mail:  subhashmandal@yahoo.com