Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Teucrium Polium on Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhea in Male Rat

Background : Diarrhea is one of the world's health problems as the most common causes of death in children. In this study, the effect of Teucrium Polium (TP) extract on diarrhea induced by castor oil has been studied.
Materials and Methods : 30 male rats were divided into five equal groups containing extract with doses of 100, 200 and 600 mg/kg diphenoxylate (5 mg/kg) and control group or vehicle (normal saline) groups. One hour after feeding the drugs or vehicle in the volume of 10 ml/kg, 2 ml of castor oil were fed to each animal through an oral-gastric catheter. Then excrements of animals were separately observed in the cages for 4 hours and their quality, frequency and stool weight were determined. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-test and p<0.05 was considered as significant.
Results : Diphenoxylate and 600 mg/kg dose of TP reduced the percentage of the weight loss of animals, their excretion frequency and defecation index (p< 0.001). The 600 mg/kg dose of TP decreased the fecal water content compared to the control group (p< 0.01).
Conclusion : Based on our data, essential oil of TP has an effect similar to diphenoxylate on the reduction of osmotic diarrhea symptoms and also reduces the volume of excreted water.