METHODOLOGY

Procedure
The test animals used in the experiment were Albino mice obtained from the UERM technician. The
mice were subjected to fasting (except for water) 12 hours prior the experiment. The mice were
weighed and labeled accordingly and were divided into three groups for administration of the positive
control, negative control and test drug. The test animals received the following:
(a) 1mg/mL AtSO
4
: 0.01 mg AtSO
4
/ g mouse for the positive control
(b) NSS : 0.5 mL for the negative control
(c) tsaang gubat 1 g/mL : 0.01 g/g mouse for the test drug

The drug was then administered via oral gavage. After an hour, 0.5 mL activated charcoal solution was
administered. The mice were euthanized 20 minutes after charcoal intake and its intestines were
excised from the pylorus to the cecum. The intestine was stretched and its total length was measured.
The distance traveled by the activated charcoal in the intestine corresponding to the different doses
administered was measured and recorded as well.

Study Design
The experiment is a randomized controlled trial that utilizes activated charcoal as an indicator of anti-
diarrheal activity. The length traveled by the charcoal in the small intestine is measured. The expected
effect of the test drug is the shortening of the distance traveled by the charcoal.

Analysis of data
The parameter to be measured in the experiment is the length of the small intestine traveled by the
charcoal. The data on weight of the rat, dose of drug administered, length of intestine, charcoal distance
and percent of distance traveled by the charcoal were obtained from all groups. Percentage of distance
traveled was obtained by using the formula: distance travelled by activated charcoal x 100
total length of intestine
Appropriate statistical analysis was performed, thereafter.

Exclusion Criteria and Limitation of the Study
The subjects in the experiment were mice that were starved (except for water) 12 hours prior to the
experiment. This was done to prevent any obstruction in the GI tract and so as not to affect drug
absorption. Other forms of known treatment for diarrhea or loose bowel movement were not included
in the study. Atropine sulfate was used as the positive control and Normal Saline Solution as negative
control. The NSS has no known effect on gastrointestinal motility whereas atropine is a known
muscarinic blocker that inhibits intestinal motility.

The study was limited to the effects of the medicinal plant (tsaang gubat) in reducing intestinal motility,
which is useful in the management of diarrhea or loose bowel movement.