Evaluation of antidiarrheal potential of Emblica officinalis

Abstract

The antidiarrheal potential of the methanol extract of the fruit of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Euphorbiaceae) was evaluated using several experimental models of diarrhea in Wistar albino rats. The methanol extract showed a significant inhibitory effect on rats with diarrhea induced by castor oil and magnesium sulfate. The methanol extract produced a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in charcoal meal tests in rats. It also significantly inhibited PGE2-induced enteropooling as compared to control animals. The results obtained establish the efficacy and substantiate the use of this herbal remedy as a nonspecific treatment for diarrhea in folk medicine. © 2005 Taylor & Francis Ltd.