EVALUATION OF ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA L. BARK

ABSTRACT

Since immemorial time whole medicinal plants or their parts are being used in all types of diseases. Medicinal plants are considered as safe and effective medicines for various diseases. Balanites aegyptiaca L. (Zygophyllaceae) is spiny shrub or tree grow up to l0 m tall, widely distributed in dry land areas of Africa and South Asia mainly found on deep sandy loam and free access to water. It is a folkloric medicine for a variety of ailments including purgative, jaundice, syphilis, epilepsy, anthelmintic and antimalarial etc. Indomethacin induced model was selected for assessing antiulcer activity in rats. In this model Omeprazole was used as a standard against methanolic Balanites aegyptiaca L. bark extract. The parameter studied was ulcer index and percentage inhibition of ulcer index. The present work indicates that the methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca L. bark extract shows significant anti-ulcer activity. Acute toxicity studies were conducted for the methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca bark. The maximum tolerated dose was found to be 2000 mg/kg b.w when the extract was administered orally.

Key words: Anti-ulcer activity, Indomethacin induced ulcer, Balanites aegyptiaca, Zygophyllaceae.