Evaluation of phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Dillenia indica Linn. Leaves

The crude methanol extract of the roots of Dillenia indica Linn. (Family: Dilleniaceae) was investigated for its possible analgesic, antidiarrhoeal and GI motility tests in animal models. The extract produced significant writhing inhibition in acetic acid-induced writhing in mice at the oral dose of 250 and 500 mg kg^-1 b.wt. (p<0.01) comparable to the standard drug diclofenac sodium at the dose of 25 mg kg^-1 of body weight. The crude extract produced significant antidiarrhoeal effect at the dose of 500 mg kg^-1 of body weight comparable to that produced by loperamide, used as standard drug. The extract also reduced significantly the charcoal induced Gastro Intestinal (GI) motility in mice; decreased the movement of GI tract in comparison to control animals. This study has found a base stone to step ahead for further researches to make them pharmaceutically useful.