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Protective effect of Arque-Ajeeb on acute experimental diarrhoea in rats
Mohd Aleem Khan1, Naeem Ahmad Khan, Iqbal Ahmad Qasmi
1Department of Ilmul Advia (Pharmacology), Faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002, Uttar Pradesh, India. mohdaleemkhan_amu@rediffmail.com
Insights
Arque-Ajeeb, a Unani medicine, demonstrated significant antidiarrhoeal effects in rat models. This study suggests Arque-Ajeeb may offer a promising alternative treatment for diarrhoea.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Traditional Medicine
Background:
- Diarrhoea is a leading global health issue for children, causing millions of deaths annually.
- Arque-Ajeeb (AA) is a Unani formulation traditionally used for diarrhoea and cholera.
- Scientific validation of Arque-Ajeeb's efficacy for diarrhoea treatment is currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To scientifically evaluate the antidiarrhoeal efficacy of Arque-Ajeeb.
- To investigate the effects of Arque-Ajeeb on gastrointestinal transit and fluid accumulation in experimental models.
Main Methods:
- The study utilized rat models to assess antidiarrhoeal activity.
- Arque-Ajeeb was tested against charcoal-induced gut transit, serotonin-induced diarrhoea, and PGE2-induced enteropooling.
- Standard pharmacological methods were employed to measure gut transit, diarrhoea frequency, and intestinal fluid volume.
Main Results:
- Arque-Ajeeb significantly inhibited faecal defecation frequency and gastrointestinal charcoal transit.
- The formulation reduced the severity of diarrhoea induced by serotonin.
- Arque-Ajeeb also demonstrated a significant reduction in PGE2-induced intestinal fluid accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Arque-Ajeeb exhibits significant antidiarrhoeal properties in rat models.
- The findings suggest Arque-Ajeeb holds potential as an alternative therapeutic agent for diarrhoea management.
Background:
Diarrhoea is a major health problem for children worldwide, accounting for 5-8 million deaths each year. Arque-Ajeeb (AA) is a compound formulation of Unani medicine. It is reputed for its beneficial effects in the treatment of diarrhoea and cholera, but the claim of its efficacy is yet to be tested. Therefore the present study has been planned to investigate the real efficacy of this drug in rats.
Methods:
The effect of Arque-Ajeeb was investigated for antidiarrhoeal activity against charcoal-induced gut transit, serotonin-induced diarrhoea and PGE2-induced small intestine enteropooling in rats. The control, standard and test groups of experimental animals were administered with normal saline (p.o.), diphenoxylate hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, p.o.) and Arque-Ajeeb (0.07 ml and 0.14 ml/kg, p.o.) respectively except the control group of PGE2-induced small intestine enteropooling which received only 5% ethanol in normal saline (i.p.). Charcoal (10 ml/kg, p.o.) and serotonin (600 micrograms/kg, i.p.) were administered after 30 min, while PGE2 (100 micrograms/kg, p.o.) was administered immediately afterwards. The distance traveled by charcoal in small intestine was measured after 15 and 30 min of charcoal administration, diarrhoea was observed every 30-min for six hour after serotonin administration and the volume of intestinal fluid was measured after 30 min of PGE2 administration.
Results:
Arque-Ajeeb (0.07 ml and 0.14 ml/kg) significantly inhibited the frequency of defaecation and decreased the propulsion of charcoal meal through the gastrointestinal tract, reduced the wetness of faecal droppings in serotonin-induced diarrhoea and also reduced the PGE2-induced small intestine enteropooling.
Conclusion:
Arque-Ajeeb may have potential to reduce the diarrhoea in rats. Thus the drug may prove to be an alternate remedy in diarrhoea.
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