Effect of Aqueous Extract of Descurainia Sophia on Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhea in Male Rat

Diarrhea is one of the worldwide health problems and one of the most common causes of childrens’ mortality. In the present experiment, effect of Descurainia sophia on castor oil-induced diarrhea was investigated. In this experimentd study 24 male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows: Descurainia sophia with doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg; Diphenoxylate 0.5 mg/kg; and control (vehicle). One hour after orally receiving the drugs or vehicle (normal saline 10 ml/kg), each animal was given castor oil (2 ml/rat) by an oro-gastric catheter. Then the rats were placed in a separate cage and observed for 5 h defecation to determine fecal quality, frequency, and weight. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey test and p<0.05 was considered as significant difference. Both Descurainia sophia 600, 400 (mg/kg) and Diphenoxylate attenuated the percentage of weight loss (p<0.005). Compared to the control group, Descurainia sophia 600 and Diphenoxylate (p<0.005) and Descurainia sophia 400 (p<0.05) decreased the total excretion. Also compared to the control group, Descurainia sophia 600 and 400 (mg/kg) decreased stool weight (p<0.05). Extract of Descurainia sophia plant has the same effect as Diphenoxylate on attenuating castor oil - induced diarrhea symptoms and also reduction of fecal water content.