Evaluation of Antidiarrhoeal and Antiulcer Activities of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Luffa aegyptiaca Fruits

The present study investigates the antidiarrhoeal and antiulcer activities of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of Luffa aegyptiaca. The fruits were shade dried and made into a coarse powder which was then subjected to continuous hot extraction in Soxhlet apparatus with hydroalcoholic solvent (ethanol 50% + water 50%) and the residual marc was collected. The extract was used to screen for their antidiarrhoeal and antiulcer activities. The antidiarrhoeal activity was evaluated at two different concentrations viz., 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of the above extract using Castor oil induced diarrhea method in experimental rats. Extract with 500 mg/kg concentration showed significant reduction of induced diarrhoea as compared to the control group animals. But, the antidiarrhoeal activity was found to be less than that of standard drug, Diphenoxylate (5 mg/kg). Anti-ulcer activity was carried out by pylorus ligation method induced gastric ulcer. Ulcer protective action was observed at a dose of 500 mg/kg of Hydroalcoholic fruit extract of Luffa aegyptiaca, which was found to be closer to the standard drug, Famotidine (10 mg/kg).