Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. (Oleaceae), commonly known as ‘Harshringar’ is widely used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, hepatic disorders and stomach ulcers. Its leaf part contains various flavonoids and oxygenated terpenes. In this work, the effects of the leaf extract various on gastric ulcers were evaluated. The antiulcer assays were undertaken using the following protocols in rats: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcer, ethanol-induced ulcer, stress-induced ulcer, and determination of gastric secretion using ligated pylorus. The treatment in the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extract significantly (p<0.01) diminished the lesion index, the total lesion area and the percentage of lesions in comparison with positive control groups. With regard to the model of gastric secretion significant (p<0.001) reduction of gastric juice volume and total acidity was observed, as well as an increase in the gastric pH. Considering the results, it is suggested that the Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn. could probably be a good therapeutic agent for the development of new phytomedicine for the treatment of gastric ulcer.
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