Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans, family- Myristicaceae) is used as an active ingredient of most of the ayurvedic antidiarrhoeal formulations. Antidiarrhoeal effect of an aqueous extract of Myristica fragrans (AEMF) was evaluated in magnesium sulphate induced diarrhoea, intestinal secretion and charcoal meal test in mice at a dose of 25, 50, 100 mg/kg. AEMF treated mice, significantly reduced the induction time of diarrhoea, number of wet stools and total no of stools in the diarrhoea induced by magnesium sulphate. It has also produced antimotility and antisecretory activity in castor oil induced intestinal transit and intraluminal fluid accumulation in mice. These results indicate that AEMF produces its antidiarrhoeal effect through decreasing intestinal secretions and inhibiting the intestinal motility.
