Antiulcer Activity of Methanol Extract of Leaves of Bauhinia racemosa Linn (Leguminaceae) Bhalke Rasika D.1,*, Giri Mahendra A.1, Pal Subodh C.2 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Sanjivani College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Kopargaon, Maharashtra, India 2N. D. M. V. P. S's College of Pharmacy, Nashik, (MS), India-422002 *Corresponding Author E-mail: rasikabhalke@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 3 April, 2013. Abstract Bauhinia racemosa has long been used in folk medicine in treatment ulcer. Therefore, Present study was designed to investigate the antiulcer effect of methanolic extract of leaves of Bauhinia racemosa (MELBR) using different models of gastric ulceration in rats. Acute gastric ulceration in rats was produced by oral administration of various noxious chemicals including aspirin or ethanol or indomethacin. Anti-secretory studies were undertaken using pylorus-ligated technique. Gastric total acid output was estimated in the pylorus ligated rats. Gastric tissue was also examined histologically. MELBR was administered in the dose of 400 mg/kg orally in all experiments. Omeprazole, ranitidine, misoprostol were used as a reference drug. The antiulcer activity was assessed by determining and comparing the ulcer index in the test drug group with that of the vehicle (negative) control group and standard (positive) control group. MELBR at the dose of 400 mg/kg produced a significant reduction in the ulcer index. MELBR significantly inhibited gastric mucosal damage induced by aspirin, ethanol and indomethacin. In pylorus-ligated Shay rats, MELBR did not reduce the basal gastric acid secretion, acidity. The anti-ulcer effect was further confirmed histologically. The antiulcer activity of MELBR was however, less than that of standard drugs. The present finding suggests that protective effect of MELBR might have been mediated by cytoprotective mechanisms. Moreover, further insight into the precise mechanism of action is essential to exploit the complete potency of MELBR and increase its usage in contemporary medicine. Top Keywords antiulcer activity, Bauhinia racemosa, methanolic extract. aspirin induced ulcer, ethanol induced ulcer, indomethacin induced ulcer, pylorus ligation technique. Top |