Anti-ulcer Activity of Ethanol Extract of Parkia Speciosa against Indomethacin Induced Peptic Ulcer in Albino Rats

This study was performed to determine the anti-ulcer effects of ethanol extract of Parkia speciosa on Indomethacin induced peptic ulcer in Albino rats. Rats of female sex weighing between 150 g 200 g were used. Rats were divided into six groups with six rats in each group. Omeprazole (20 mg/kg) were used as a standard drug for this study. Parkia speciosa extract were given in three different doses comprised of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Pre-treatment were done for 14 days and at the end of the 14th day, rats were kept fasted for 24 hours before administration of Indomethacin at 30 mg/kg. Administration of drugs was done orally. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed and stomachs were open and stored in 10% formalin solution. The acidity of gastric juice, gastric mucosal lesion and histological changes were studied. Extracts of Parkia speciosa showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in acidity of gastric juice as compared to the ulcer control group. Two doses of Parkia speciosa ethanol extract that is 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg showed significant (P<0.05) reduction in lesion length as compared to ulcer control group. Histological studies showed lesser collagen and fibrosis were present in tissue from rats treated with Parkia speciosa extract compared to tissues of rats from ulcer control group. INDRODUCTION: The ulcer is the open sore in the lining of the stomach or intestine, similar to mouth ulcers (stomatitis) and skin ulcer. Gastric ulcer is the ulcer which occurs in the stomach. Duodenal ulcer is the ulcer that occurs in the first part of the intestine. Peptic ulcer is the term used for either of the ulcers or both ulcers 1 . The most common gastrointestinal disease is peptic ulcer disease (PUD) 2 . Peptic ulcer occurs due to the reaction of acid and pepsin which is the digestive enzyme present in the stomach towards the mucosal lining of the stomach which leads to the excoriation of it 3 . QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.6(2).895-02 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.6(2).895-02 PUD is caused by infection, stress, smoking, nutritional deficiencies and frequent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) 4 . The disequilibrium of gastric aggressive factor and mucosal defensive factor results in ulcer 5 . The aggressive factors are acid, pepsin, free radicals, infectious agent such as Helicobacter pylori and chemicals, bile salts and pancreatic enzyme, whereas the defensive factors are adherent mucin, bicarbonate, prostaglandin (PG) and mucosal blood flow 6 . The main way to heal peptic ulcer would be to reduce gastric acid production and to increase the gastric mucosal protection 7 . H2 receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors reduce acid secretion and aid the healing of ulcer but it does not prevent the re-occurrence of it where as antacid only gives relief and does not inhibit gastric secretion or aids in healing. Synthetic drugs have side effects such as arrhythmias, impotence, gynaecomastia,