Gastroprotective and antioxidant potential of Euphorbia prostrata against aspirin induced gastric ulcers in rabbits.

ABSTRACT

Present study was planned to estimate the gastroprotective activity of Euphorbia prostrata plant against aspirin induced gastric ulcers in male adult albino rabbits. The ulcer was induced by oral administration of aspirin in all groups except normal control group. Gastric contents were used to estimate total acid output, gastric volume and gastric pH. Results showed that there was a significant decrease in gastric volume, total acid output, ulcer score and ulcer index in groups treated with extract of E. prostrata and it enhanced the pH of gastric mucosa. Blood samples were collected and serum was used for the estimation of total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT). Results suggested that E. prostrata extract significantly (P<0.05) enhanced the TAC and CAT activity comparable to synthetic antiulcer drug cimetidine while it caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in TOS and MDA levels. Results of this study revealed that extract of E. prostrata at 10, 20 and 40mg/kg showed gastric protection of 33.79%, 53.15% and 70.66% respectively. Cimetidine was used as a synthetic antiulcer drug in the study, which showed 72.85% gastric protection. From the above mentioned results it was demonstrated that E. prostrata extract at dose rate of 40 mg/kg showed gastroprotective activity similar as cimetidine.