Experimental evaluation of Diarex Vet in lactose induced diarrhoea in rats

Diarrhoea is regarded as the characteristic symptom of intestinal disturbances (Rutgers, 1992). Lactose, a disaccharide occurring in mammalian milk, is hydrolysed by β-galactosidase (lactase) localised on the brush border of small intestine (Asp and Dahlqvist, 1972). Lactase hydrolysis lactose to monosaccharides namely, glucose and galactose which are then actively absorbed into the circulation. An accumulation of lactose due to deficiency of lactase enzyme leads to symptoms of lactose malabsorption such as diarrhoea, bloating and flatulence. These symptoms originate from fermentation of undigested lactose entering the colon and resulting in osmotic diarrhoea (Kretchmer, 1972). Osmotic diarrhoea occurs when inadequate absorption results in a collection of solutes in the gut lumen, which cause water to be retained by their osmotic activity. Any condition that results in nutrient malabsorption or maldigestion results in similar diarrhoea (Susan, 1998). This physiological phenomenon of lactase deficiency resulting in lactose intolerance is considered as a model to evaluate antidiarrhoeal drugs (Mir and Alioto, 1982). The present study is planned to evaluate the antidiarrhoeal potential of Diarex Vet. Materials and Methods Adult male Wistar rats weighing 250 ± 5 g were selected and housed in individual metabolic cages in controlled laboratory conditions. A total of forty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups each consisting of 8 rats. Group I served as normal control and received standard commercial pellet feed. Group II served as positive control and received lactose mixed diet during the entire period of study. Groups III, IV and V served as treatment groups which were given same diet as group II and in addition were administered with 250, 500 and 750mg/kg body weight of Diarex Vet respectively as an oral aqueous suspension. The total duration of treatment was five days. The rats were faste