In vitro carminative and in vivo antidiarrheal activity of Citrus maxima

Abstract

In this study, the methanolic extracts of leaves of Citrus maxima were evaluated for their carminative and antidiarrheal activities. By soxhlet method, the methanolic extract of leaves of Citrus maxima was prepared. Carminative activity of methanolic extract was studied in vitro by acid-base titration technique and antidiarrheal activity was studied in rats by castor oil induced diarrhoea method. The phytochemical screening was done using various chemical tests. Alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates, flavonoids, terpenoids, amino acids, anthraquinones, glycosides are confirmed to be present in the leaf. Carminative activity of extract was found significantly less with 5mL, when compared with 10mL extract. The antidiarrheal activity observed in the animals treated with 200mg/kg showed significant activity compared with the animals treated with 100mg/kg. The study revealed that carminative activity and antidiarrheal activity of methanolic extract of C. maxima. May be the extract acts on circular and longitudinal intestinal muscle by inhibiting acetylcholine and prostaglandins, which reduces peristaltic movements and prolongs transmit time, reduces fecal volume, increases viscosity and viscous fluid and electrolyte loss. The compound in the extract causes mild irritation resulting in vasodilation of gastrointestinal muscles, thereby relieving cramping and expels gas