Herbal Drugs With Anti Ulcer Activity

A peptic ulcer is an erosion in a segment of the gastro intestinal mucosa, typically in the stomach (gastric ulcer) or first few centimeters of duodenum (duodenal ulcer) that penetrates through the muscularis mucosae. Contrary to popular belief, ulcer is not caused by spicy food but instead is most commonly due to either an infection or long term use of medications. Standard treatment is a combination of drugs including antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitors. Literature suggests that number of synthetic drugs are used in the management of peptic ulcers but elicit several adverse effects. Therefore Indian herbal plants stand out as being exceptional for its ethnic, ethobotanical and ethno-pharmaceutical use. In this review attempts have been made to know about some plants which may be used in treatment or prevention of peptic ulcers. Various plants like Cynodon dactylon, Ocimum sanctum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Ficus religiosa proved active in antiulcer therapy.