Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

Establishment of Coloproctitis Cancer Model in Mice and Evaluation of Therapeutic Effect of Chinese Medicine
Published on: October 13, 2023
Trichosanthes dioica root possesses stimulant laxative activity in mice
Sanjib Bhattacharya1, Pallab Kanti Haldar
1Bengal School of Technology (A College of Pharmacy), Delhi Road, Sugandha, Hooghly 712102, West Bengal, India. sakkwai@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), named 'pointed gourd' in English, is a dioecious climber grown in India. This study was aimed at evaluating the laxative activity of the aqueous extract of T. dioica root (TDA) in Swiss albino mice. The laxative activity of TDA (100 and 200 mg kg(-1) body weight per os) was evaluated by assessing the excretory bowel activities in naive (non-constipated) and in drug (loperamide)-induced constipation in mice. Further, the gastrointestinal transit was measured in both naive and in constipated mice. Castor oil (0.5 mL/mouse per os) was used as the reference. TDA significantly and dose-dependently increased all the excretory bowel activities and gastrointestinal transit in both naive and constipated mice. TDA at 200 mg kg(-1) body weight was found to be the most active, causing diarrhoea in mice. Thus, T. dioica root demonstrated stimulant laxative activity in Swiss mice, validating its traditional usage in India.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This makes...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Other Laxatives
Osmotic or saline laxatives, like magnesium hydroxide or milk of...
Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Adsorbents as Antidiarrheal Agents
Adsorbents...