Anti-diarrheal Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Stem Bark of Myrica nagi in Albino Rats

Background and objectives: Myrica nagi Thunb., belonging to the family Myricaceae, is used in Indian traditional medicine to treat diarrhea.This study aimed to assess the anti-diarrheal activity of the aqueous extract of stem bark of Myrica nagi (AEMN) using castor oil-induced diarrhea and charcoal meal tests in albino rats. Methods:In castor oil-induced diarrhea, castor oil (10 mL/kg p.o.) was used as an inducer, and loperamide (3 mg/kg p.o.) was used as the standard drug.However, in charcoal-induced diarrhea, atropine sulphate (5 mg/kg p.o.) was used as a standard drug.AEMN was administered to rats at 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg p.o.Results: AEMN in different doses significantly reduced the first fecal output, the cumulative number of feces, and the cumulative weight of feces after four hours in the castor oil-induced diarrheal model compared with the control group.The extract at 250 mg/kg p.o. and 500 mg/kg also significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the distance travelled by the charcoal. Conclusions:Results of the present study support the traditional anti-diarrheal claim of the stem bark of Myrica nagi.