A study on Antinociceptive and Antidiarrhoeal actions of <i>Bruguiera Gymnorhiza</i> bark extracts

Abstract

The methanol extract of the dried barks of Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) (Rhizophoraceae) was investigated for its possible antinociceptive and antidiarrhoeal activities in animal models. The extract produced significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice at the oral doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (P<0.001) comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium at the dose of 25 mg/kg of body weight (P<0.001). The extract showed antidiarrhoeal activity on castor oil - induced diarrhoea in mice; it increased mean latent period and decreased the frequency of defecation significantly at the oral doses of 500  mg/kg body weight (P<0.01) comparable to the standard drug loperamide at the dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight (P<0.01). The extract also reduced significantly, the charcoal- induced gastro intestinal (GI) motility in miceand decreased the movement of GI tract in comparison to control animals. The obtained results provide a support for the use of this plant in traditional medicine and its further investigation. 

Keywords: Antinociceptive, atidiarrhoeal, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Rhizophoraceae

Journal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences, Vol. 7 No. 1 (2010)