There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.
Abstract
Antiulcerogenic activities of three plant drugs were studied against aspirin-induced
gastric ulcers in rats. In addition, their effects on output of gastric acid and pepsin
and hexosamine concentrations in gastric fluid were recorded in ulcerated and non-ulcerated
rats. Solanum nigrum (aerial parts) powder and its methanolic extract decreased the
ulcer index significantly. The activity may be due to inhibition of acid and pepsin
secretions and/or their in vitro ability to bind these. Brassica oleracea (leaf) powder
did not affect the ulcer index significantly but its aqueous extract lowered the index
and increased hexosamine levels, suggesting gastric mucosal protection. Ocimum basilicum
(aerial parts) powder and its aqueous and methanolic extracts decreased the index.
Moreover, the acid output was decreased by its methanolic extract while hexosamine
secretion was enhanced. This suggests that its antiulcerogenic effect is due to decreases
of acid and pepsin outputs which enhance gastric mucosal strength. The reference drug
gefarnate decreased the ulcer index by increasing the hexosamine level only. Cimetidine
inhibited the acid production but did not decrease the ulcer index.