Evaluation of Anti-diarrheal Activity of Bamboo Charcoal in Rats

This study evaluated the potential anti-diarrheal activity of bamboo charcoal in experimental diarrhea, induced by castor oil and magnesium sulphate in rats. Five groups were included in each of the castor oil￢induced diarrhea and magnesium sulfate-induced gastric enteropooling studies: the vehicle control group, positive control group, and three bamboo charcoal groups. The test agent was administered orally to male rats at the doses of 40, 100, or 150 ㎎/㎏. Bamboo charcoal teated rats showed significant inhibitory activity against castor oil-induced diarrhea and magnesium sulfate-induced enteropooling at the doses of above 100 ㎎/㎏. It also showed a tendency to inhibit castor oil-induced diarrhea and magnesium sulfate-induced gastric enteropooling at the dose of 40 ㎎/㎏. In conclusion, bamboo charcoal may have potential to reduce the diarrhoea in rats. Thus, it is proposed that bamboo charcoal may be an alternate remedy for diarrhea.