The date palm (Phoenix Dactylifera L.) is known to be one of the
oldest cultivated tree in the world. Date palm spathe aqueous extract has
claimed to have anti-spasmodic activity. Castor oil-induced diarrhoea,
enteropooling and gastrointestinal transit test were elucidated in rats. The
results show that aqueous extract significantly reduced both castor-oil
induced intestinal transit and frequency of diarrhoea effects. However, the
extract did not affect castor oil induced intestinal fluid accumulation.
Further studies are needed in regard to isolation of the effective
components of these extracts and clarification of its pharmacological
mechanisms in the future.