LAXATIVE ACTIVITY OF HYDROALCOHOLIC LEAVES EXTRACT OF PUTRANJIVA ROXBURGHII.

Background: This study was aimed to assess the possible laxative effect of roxburghii hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Putranjiva in albino’s Wistar rats. Method: Rats were divided in 5 groups of 6 animals each, I group served as control, II group as standard (sodium picosulfate) while group III, IV and V were treated with leaves extract of Putranjiva roxburghii at doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg respectively. The statistical analysis of results were carried out using and one-way analysis (ANOVA) followed by Student t-test. Result and Discussion: The laxative activity was determined based on the weight of the faeces matter. The effects of the hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Putranjiva roxburghii and reference also evaluated. The hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Putranjiva roxburghii administered orally at three different doses produced significant laxative activity and reduced loperamide induced constipation in dose dependent manner. The effect of the extract at 500 mg/kg (p.o.) was similar to that of reference drug sodium picosulfate (5 mg/kg, p.o). Conclusion: The results showed that hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Putranjiva roxburghii has a significant laxative activity. Keywords: Laxative, Loperamide, Constipation