Antiemetic Effect of Fruit Extracts of Trapa bispinosa Roxb. in Chick Emesis Model
Syed Waleed Ahmed Bokhari
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Pakistan.
Sabiha Gul
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Pakistan
Rida Fatima
Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Pakistan.
Sana Sarfaraz *
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
Muhammad Mohtasheemul Hasan
Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Karachi, Pakistan.
Afshan Abbbas
Department of Pharmacology, Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Vomiting and nausea are common symptoms associated with many diseased conditions. They also occur as side effects due to intake of certain medications. Natural remedies are nowadays being considered as a better alternate compared to allopathic medicine.
Aim: The current study was designed to evaluate the antiemetic effect of hexane and ethanolic extracts of Trapa bispinosa Roxb fruit.
Methodology: The study was conducted on young chicks aged 6-7 days using Copper sulfate (50 mg/kg) for the induction of emesis using oral route. Antiemetic effect was determined by observing the reduction in the number of retches in different groups of chicks. Metoclopramide and Chlorpromazine (150 mg/kg) were used as standard antiemetic agents. Chicks were treated with both extracts (ethanolic and hexane) at the dose of 150 mg/kg.
Results: Hexane extract was found to be most effective when compared with all the groups. The results showed that T.bispinos Roxb. hexane extract was able to effectively prevent the copper sulfate induced emesis in chicks. Phytochemical analysis was also performed and it was predicted that the antiemetic effect of hexane extract might be due to the presence of alkaloids and triterpenoids.
Conclusion: The positive effects obtained from this study showed that natural remedy might also be used as an alternate to allopathic medicine for nausea and vomiting.
Keywords: Anti-emetic, alkaloids, copper sulphate Trapa bispinosa roxb, triterpenoids