Antiulcer activity of methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves in rats.

OBJECTIVE To determine the potential antiulcer activity of methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves (MEMM) using various established rat models. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten groups of rats were used and orally administered 10% DMSO (negative control), 100 mg/kg ranitidine (positive control) or MEMM (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) followed by gastric ulcer induction either using ethanol or indomethacin. The stomachs were collected and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic analyses. RESULTS MEMM exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antiulcer activity in the ethanol, but not in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model. The percentage of antiulcer activity for 50-500 mg/kg MEMM ranged between 3 and 75%, respectively. The gross observations were supported by histological findings. MEMM also aggravated the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, leading to an increase in ulcer area formation and ulcer score. CONCLUSION The M. malabathricum leaves showed antiulcer activity, which could be attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This requires further in-depth studies.