Anti-Ulcer and Antioxidant Activity of Moringa Oleifera (Lam) Leaves against Aspirin and Ethanol Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

Study was conducted to test the hypothesis that Moringa oleifera Lam. leave has hepatoprotective as well as antioxidant activity. For this purpose, a study was designed using alcoholic extracts of Moringa oleifera leave produce significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity. The activity was tested in wistar albino rats at dose levels of 125, 250 & 500 mg/kg, orally and compared with ranitidine (50 mg/kg) as standard. During the ulcer condition, there was an increase in gastric mucosal SOD and LPO levels. This indicated that the generation of relative oxygen species during stress might be the causative factor for the inactivation of gastric peroxidase. The alcoholic leaves extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. has shown ulcer protective effect as dose dependently against pylorus-ligation, ethanol, cold restraint stress, and aspirininduced gastric ulcer in rats. The said extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. was found to decrease ulcer and acid pepsin secretion. A change was also seen in SOD, CAT, and LPO levels in rat gastric mucosa due to antioxidant property of alcoholic leaves extract of Moringa oleifera Lam. Antioxidant defense mechanism of the extract was probably due to metabolising lipid peroxides and scavenging H2O2.