Educational Forum Exploring Indian medicinal plants for antiulcer activity

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a serious gastrointestinal disorder that requires a well tar­ geted therapeutic strategy. A number of drugs including proton pump inhibitors and H2 Division of Pharmacology, receptor antagonists are available for the treatment of peptic ulcer, but clinical evaluation Central Drug Research Institute, of these drugs has shown incidence of relapses, side effects, and drug interactions. This has Lucknow 226 001. been the rationale for the development of new antiulcer drugs and the search for novel molecules has been extended to herbal drugs that offer better protection and decreased Received: 22.3.2005 Revised: 20.10.2005 relapse. Drugs of plant origin are gaining popularity and are being investigated for a number Accepted: of disorders, including peptic ulcer. The present article reviews the antiulcerogenic and 3.11.2005 ulcer healing property of Ocimum sanctum, Allophylus serratus, Desmodium gagenticum, Correspondence to: Azadirachta indica, Hemidesmus racemosus, Asparagus racemosus, and Musa sapientum. Gautam Palit We have highlighted some of the important plants reported for their anti-ulcer and ulcer E-mail: [email protected] healing properties, in our laboratory and elsewhere during the last few years. Ayurvedic knowledge supported by modern science is necessary to isolate, characterise, and stand­ ardise the active constituents from herbal sources for antiulcer activity.