Gastric Antisecretory and Antiulcer Properties of Ethanolic Extracts of Leaves of Andrographys Paniculata

Objective: To study the gastric anti-secretory and cytoprotective action of ethanolic extract of leaves of Andrographys paniculata. Methods: Effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of A. paniculata gastro-antisecretory and cytoprotective activity was studied in vivo by using gastric wall mucus determination, hypothermic restraint stress-induced ulcers, idomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, reserpine-induced gastric ulcers and necrotizing agent-induced gastric ulcers (cytoprotection studies) methods. Results: Ethanolic extract of leaves of A. paniculata produced a significant decrease in gastric secretion in pylorous ligated rats and a highly significant cytoprotective effect against 80% ethanol-0.6 M HCl, 0.2 M NaOH, and 25% NaCl-induced cytodestruction. Conclusion: Pretreatment with the extract significantly prevented hypothermic stress-induced gastric wall mucus depletion. These findings suggest that a significant antisecretory and cytoprotective action A. paniculata can be responsible for its antiulcer activity.