Pre-clinical investigation of anti-diarrheal and CNS depressant effect of Wedelia trilobata in Swiss albino mice

Wedelia trilobata (WT) has been used in folk medicine to alleviate several diseases such as cough, cold, flu, fever and inflammation. The study was investigated to evaluate anti-diarrheal and CNS effect of ethanolic extract of W. trilobata in mice. Anti-diarrheal effect was evaluated using castor oil and MgSO4 induced diarrhea tests in mice. Gastrointestinal motility was measured using BaSO4. CNS effect was investigated using hole board, hole cross and elevated plus maze tests. Extract was used at dose of 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg body weight. Loperamide (10 mg/kg per oral) and diazepam (4 mg/kg) were used as standard drug. The crude extract exhibited significant anti-diarrheal effect in the total number of feces and episodes of diarrheal feces. Treatment with WT at both the doses, very highly reduced diarrhea significantly (p < 0.001) in castor oil and MgSO4 induced diarrheal tests. WT at 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg reduced diarrheal stools by 71.25% (p < 0.001) and 76.25% (p < 0.001) in castor oil induced diarrhea. In the MgSO4 induced diarrhea, the extract reduced diarrhea by 62.79% (p < 0.001) and 65.12% (p < 0.001), respectively. WT at 2000 mg/kg inhibited GI motility very highly significantly (p < 0.001). Standard drug, loperamide (10 mg/kg) had very highly significant (p < 0.001) antidiarrheal effect. In the CNS, the extract resulted significant depressant effect (p < 0.001) in hole board, hole cross and elevated plus maze test. WT extract possessed significant antidiarrheal and CNS depressant properties.