Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec; 9(8): 739-42.

Evaluation of anti-diarrheal activity of Cleome viscosa L. extract in rats.

Devi BP, Boominathan R, Mandal SC.

Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Engineering & Technology, Jadavpur University, Calcutta, India.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of a methanol extract of the entire plant Cleome viscosa L. (CVME) (Family; Capparidaceae) for its anti-diarrheal potential against some of the experimental models of diarrhea in rats. CVME showed significant inhibitory activity against castor-oil-induced diarrhea and PGE2 induced enteropooling in rats. The extract also showed a significant reduction in gastrointestinal motility in the charcoal meal test in rats. The results obtained establish the efficacy and substantiate the folklore claim as an anti-diarrheal agent.