Friedelin

The present study was aimed to evaluate the anti-diarrhoeal activity of friedelin isolated from
leaves of Azima tetracantha Lam. The anti-diarrhoeal effect of friedelin was studied by using
castor oil-induced diarrhoea, gastrointestinal motility test, magnesium sulphate-induced diarrhea
and castor oil-induced enteropooling in rats. Friedelin (20 mg/kg) showed significant
(P < 0.0001) reduction of intestinal transit and gastric emptying which were similar to the anti-
motility activity as known compound atropine (0.1 mg/kg). Friedelin (20 mg/kg) also exerted
significant anti-enteropooling effects, against castor oil-induced enteropooling in rats. The
defaecation frequencies and the faecal droppings wetness were significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced.
Additionally, friedelin (20 mg/kg) revealed significant (P < 0.0001) inhibition (89.64%)
of castor oil-induced diarrhea. The overall results elucidated that the anti-diarrhoeal activity
of friedelin may be due to its anti-secretory and anti-motility properties, which consequently
provide evidence for the traditional claim.