Effect of activit, a herbomineral formulation, on experimentally- induced gastric lesions in rats

Activit, a herbomineral formulation, containing extracts derived from Mucuna pruriens, Withania somnifera, Argyreia speciosa, Centella asiatica, Tribulus terrestris, Asparagus racemosus, Piper longum, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Nux vomica, Tinospora cordifolia and Shring bhasma, was studied for its protective effect against gastric lesions induced by ethanol and pylorus-ligation. The formulation was tested at the doses of 125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight (p.o.) in rats for its effect on various gastric and antioxidant parameters. The reduction in ulcer index in both the models; along with the reduction in volume and total acidity, and an increase in the pH of gastric fluid in pylorus-ligated rats proved the anti-ulcer activity of Activit. The increase in the levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH)] along with membrane bound enzymes (CaATPase, MgATPase and NaKATPase) and a decrease in lipid peroxidation (MDA) in both the ulcer models by Activit demonstrated its antioxidant effect. Thus it can be concluded that Activit possesses anti-ulcer activity, which can be attributed to its antioxidant mechanism of action.