Abstract
BackgroundDiarrhoea is a major health problem for children worldwide, accounting for 5–8 million deaths each year. Arque-Ajeeb (AA) is a compound formulation of Unani medicine. It is reputed for its beneficial effects in the treatment of diarrhoea and cholera, but the claim of its efficacy is yet to be tested. Therefore the present study has been planned to investigate the real efficacy of this drug in rats.MethodsThe effect of Arque-Ajeeb was investigated for antidiarrhoeal activity against charcoal-induced gut transit, serotonin-induced diarrhoea and PGE2-induced small intestine enteropooling in rats. The control, standard and test groups of experimental animals were administered with normal saline (p.o.), diphenoxylate hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, p.o.) and Arque-Ajeeb (0.07 ml and 0.14 ml/kg, p.o.) respectively except the control group of PGE2-induced small intestine enteropooling which received only 5% ethanol in normal saline (i.p.). Charcoal (10 ml/kg, p.o.) and serotonin (600 μg/kg, i.p.) were administered after 30 min, while PGE2 (100 μg/kg, p.o.) was administered immediately afterwards. The distance traveled by charcoal in small intestine was measured after 15 and 30 min of charcoal administration, diarrhoea was observed every 30-min for six hour after serotonin administration and the volume of intestinal fluid was measured after 30 min of PGE2 administration.ResultsArque-Ajeeb (0.07 ml and 0.14 ml/kg) significantly inhibited the frequency of defaecation and decreased the propulsion of charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract, reduced the wetness of faecal droppings in serotonin-induced diarrhoea and also reduced the PGE2-induced small intestine enteropooling.ConclusionArque-Ajeeb may have potential to reduce the diarrhoea in rats. Thus the drug may prove to be an alternate remedy in diarrhoea.
Highlights
Diarrhoea is a major health problem for children worldwide, accounting for 5–8 million deaths each year
The goal of this study is to find out the effective dose of AA and its ameliorating potential in diarrhoea as a supporting evidence of its antidiarrhoeal property
Fresh solution of activated charcoal (10%) and diphenoxylate were prepared in distilled water and PGE2 was prepared in 5% (v/ v) ethanol in normal saline before administration
Summary
Diarrhoea is a major health problem for children worldwide, accounting for 5–8 million deaths each year. Arque-Ajeeb (AA) is a compound formulation of Unani medicine It is reputed for its beneficial effects in the treatment of diarrhoea and cholera, but the claim of its efficacy is yet to be tested. Arque-Ajeeb (Arque-e-Hayat, Zam Zam, Qulzum, Akseer-eAzam) is a compound formulation of Unani medicine containing Satt-e-Podina (plant extract of Mentha arvensis Linn), Satt-e-Ajwain (seeds extract of Trachyspermum ammi Linn) and Kaphoor (Camphor). It is reputed for its beneficial effects in treatment of diarrhoea [3] and cholera [4], but the claim of the efficacy is yet to be tested. The goal of this study is to find out the effective dose of AA and its ameliorating potential in diarrhoea as a supporting evidence of its antidiarrhoeal property
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
