ABSTRACT:
Peptic ulcer disease is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder resulting from an imbalance between aggressive factors such as gastric acid, pepsin, reactive oxygen species and defensive mechanisms including mucus secretion and mucosal integrity. Despite the availability of several synthetic anti-ulcer drugs, their prolonged use is associated with adverse effects and recurrence of ulcers. Hence, there is a growing interest in herbal medicines as safer alternatives. The present study was designed to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of chloroform and alcoholic extracts using experimentally induced gastric ulcer models in albino rats. Ulcers were induced by standard ulcerogenic procedures as described in the thesis protocol. The severity of gastric lesions was assessed by determining ulcer index and percentage inhibition. Both extracts showed significant reduction in ulcer index compared to the control group. The alcoholic extract exhibited comparatively higher gastroprotective activity than the chloroform extract. The results of the study confirm the potential anti-ulcer activity of the extracts and support their traditional therapeutic use.