COMPARATIVE LAXATIVE EVALUATION FOR ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA AND TERMINALIA CHEBULA IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODEL

Abstract

Crude aqueous extract of A.paniculata (family: Acanthaceae) and T.chebula (family: Combretaceae) at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg respectively were investigated for laxative activity according to Cappaso et al. in albino rats that were compared with standard drug Bisacodyl (8mg/kg, p.o.) in gum acacia. The rats were fasted for 12 hours before the experiment. After 8 hours of drug administration the faeces were collected and weighed. The extract was found to produce significant laxative activity in dose dependant manner. The activity may be contributed to the phytoconstituents present.