Magnesium sulphate produces diarrhoea by the osmotic properties,
preventing reabsorption of water ions, leading to increment
of the volume of the intestinal content. This salt also
promotes the liberation of cholecystokinin from the duodenal
mucose, which increases the secretions and has a motor
effect on the small intestine and also prevents reabsorption of
sodium chloride andwater (Zavala et al., 1998). Paederia foetida
exhibited significant antidiarrhoeal activity against magnesium
sulphate-induced diarrhoea (Table 2). It significantly increased
the latent period at the doses of 100 (P < 0.01), 250 (P < 0.01)
and 500 mg/kg (P < 0.001) and also notably reduced the purging
index value at all the doses in the study compared to the control
in a dose-dependent manner.