Evaluation of antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract on flowers of lawsonia inermis

Ulcer can be developed inside the inner lining of the stomach (gastric ulcer) or the small intestine (duodenal ulcer). Both the ulcers are also cumulatively referred as peptic ulcers. It affects nearly 10% of world population. To investigate the antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract of Lawsonia inermis (EELI) on albino rats, the present study was carried by pylorus ligation, ethanol induced ulcer models in albino rats. The antiulcer activity of EELI (200, 400 mg/kg p.o. for 7 days) was compared with standard drugs (Ranitidine 50 mg/kg). In pyloric ligation induced ulcer model, the studied parameters were gastric volume, pH, total acidity, free acidity, and ulcer index, whereas in ethanol induced ulcer model, the ulcer index was determined for severity of ulcers. The parameters studied were ulcer index, gastric juice volume, pH, free acidity and total acidity. In pyloric ligation model; the volume of gastric content, total/free acidity and pepsin activity was significantly decreased at p<0.05 and p<0.01 and pH of the gastric juice was significantly increased at p<0.05 and p<0.01 in EELI treated groups as compared to control group. All the doses of EELI showed dose dependent antiulcer effect as well as significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01) reduction in the ulcer index as compared to control group in all the experimental models. The results of the study indicate that the EELI have better potential against ulcer which supports the traditional claims in folklore medicine.