Studies on Activity of Various Extracts of Albizia amara against Drug induced Gastric Ulcers

Albizia amara is used as a medicinal herb by the tribes of forest regions of Western Ghats. It is used for headaches, backaches, stomach pain, piles and simple ulcers. The anti ulcer activity of various extracts of Albizia amara was investigated on ethanol, pylorus ligated and indomethacin induced pylorus ligated ulcer models in mice and rats. The common parameter determined was ulcer index. In the pyloric ligation model and indomethacin induced pyloric ligated models oral administration of both extracts such as petroleum ether and methanol, standard drug ranitidine and control group to separate groups of Wister rats of either sex was performed. Total acidity, volume of gastric juice, pH, percentage protection and ulcer index were assessed. In the case of the 90% ethanol-induced ulceration model in mice, there was a decrease in ulcer score and percentage protection in test groups of petroleum ether (46.72%), methanol (68%) and standard drug ranitidine (85.44%) when compared to the negative control. There was a decrease in gastric secretion and ulcer index among the treated groups i.e. petroleum ether (73.91%), methanol (80.72%) and in standard drug (91.59%) when compared to the negative control in pyloric ligated ulcers. In indomethacin induced pyloric ligated ulcer model in rats there was a reduction in ulcerative score in animals receiving petroleum ether (63.2%), methanolic (62.07%) and standard drug (80.02%) when compared to the negative control. The extract (250 mg/kg) showed significant (P < 0.01) reduction in gastric volume, free acidity and ulcer index as compared to control in all models.