Here is a list of thirty-two main anti-ulcerogenic foods.
1. Unripe Banana (Musa Sapientum):
Green unripe Musa sapientum has been reported to have protective action against gastric mucosal injury in rats and assists in healing ulcer. The medicinal properties of banana are part of the traditional folk medicine. There are a number of reports associating banana with anti-ulcerogenic properties which appear to be due to its ability to stimulate the growth of gastric mucosa.
The active factor(s) were water soluble and were concentrated by extraction to approximately three hundred times that in the dried banana powder. Interestingly, the ripe ones were inactive. The active anti-ulcerogenic ingredient extracted from unripe plantain banana powder and identified as the flavonoid leucocyanidin and a purified synthetic leucocyanidin demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) protective effect against aspirin- induced erosions. An indigenous drug like M. sapientum possessing fewer side-effects is the major thrust area of present day research, aiming at a better and safer approach for the management of peptic ulcer.
Goel et al. (1986) reported that banana powder treatment not only strengthened mucosal resistance against ulcerogens but also promoted healing by inducing cellular proliferation. The methanolic extract (50 mg/kg, twice daily for 5 days) showed significant anti-ulcer effect and anti-oxidant activity in gastric mucosal homogenates, by reversing the increase in ulcer index, lipid peroxidation and super oxide dismutase induced by stress.
Banana pulp powder treated (0.5 g/kg orally, twice daily for 3 days) rats of either sex and showed:
(i) A significant increase in the [3H] thymidine incorporation into mucosal cell DNA;
(ii) A significant increase in the total carbohydrate (sum of total hexoses, hexosamine, fucose and sialic acid) content of gastric mucosa;
(iii) A significant decrease in gastric juice DNA and protein;
(iv) A significant increase in the total carbohydrates and carbohydrate/protein ratio of gastric juice confirming that banana powder strengthens mucosal resistance and promotes the healing of ulcers.
The absence of anti-H pyloric activity of methanolic extract of banana in vitro and its anti-oxidant activity may be involved in its ulcer-protective activity. Mohan Kumar et al. (2006) also confirmed the ulcer protective effect of methanolic extract of unripe banana and this effect could be due to its predominant effect on mucosal glycoprotein, cell proliferation, free radicals and anti-oxidant systems.
Plantain banana thus, favoured wound healing thus ulcer healing activity probably due to its anti-oxidant effect and related wound healing biochemical parameters.
2. Whey Protein Concentrate:
Among the major milk proteins, alpha-lactalbumin (alpha-LA) is demonstrated to have a marked protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric injury, with the same potency as that of the typical antiulcer agent, Selbex. Whey protein isolate (WPI), which contained 25 per cent alpha-LA, also protected against gastric injury, while casein showed no effect. Alpha-LA was about 4-fold more effective than WPI itself.
Whey protein concentrate (WPC) protected gastric mucosa from ethanol damage and that the protection depended on sulfhydryl compounds present in the WPC, including its capacity to stimulate glutathione synthesis. The authors reported that administration of a single dose of WPC resulted in 41 per cent inhibition of the ulcerative lesion index (ULI), and with repetitive doses 73 per cent inhibition was seen.
Sub-chronic treatment for 10 days resulted in 64 per cent, inhibition. Further experiment by the same authors showed that best inhibition of stomach ulcerative lesions was achieved in indomethacin model for repetitive or sub-chronic experiments by 50.1 per cent and 44 per cent, respectively. Castro et al. (2010) suggested from their experimental data, that gastrin, sulfhydryl compounds, and some mechanisms related to mucus production are all involved in gastric ulcer protection against ethanol.
Bovine as well as porcine collagen hydrolysates presented a stronger effect on mucus production. And the effect of WPI was dependent on sulfhydryl compounds and when the two proteins were administered together the protective effect was much better.
3. Black Tea (Camellia Sinensis):
While prior administration of tea extract for 7 days significantly reduced the incidence of ulcer, ulcer number and ulcer index produced by aspirin, indomethacin, ethanol, reserpine and cold restraint stress, it failed to inhibit the ulcers induced by serotonin and histamine. The hot water extract of black tea possesses anti-ulcer activity, probably mediated through prostaglandins.
Later, Maity et al. (1998) reported that glutathione plays a major role in cyto-protection against ulceration afforded by black tea extract. Still later in 2001, Maity’s team provided evidence that nitric oxide plays a role in black tea extract mediated improvement in changes of intestinal motility and gastric emptying induced by diethyl maleate, diethyl maleate plus N-ethyl maleimide. Hamaishi et al. (2006) observed that tea catechin (50, 100 mg/kg twice orally, daily) markedly inhibited the increase in content of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in the ulcerated region of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers and (100,200 mg/kg orally) in the injured mucosa of rats treated with 50 per cent ethanol.
It dose-dependently prevented the decrease in gastric mucosal hexosamine content induced by absolute ethanol too, but failed to inhibit the basal gastric acid secretion. Thus, tea catechin primarily protects gastric mucosa from acute gastric mucosal injury and promotes healing of chronic gastric ulcers by its anti-oxidant activity and gastric mucus-increasing actions.
4. Fish Oil:
Pressure ulcers are an important source of morbidity and suffering for patients and a formidable burden on caregivers. While comparing fish oil and olive oil on indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in rats, Guzel et al. (1995) found reduction in the ulcer index to 2.1 ± 1.8 mm with fish oil, 13.7 ± 15.4 mm with olive oil, and 14.6 ± 2.4 mm with normal diet.
Fish oil showed a potent healing effect on acute gastric erosions and ulcers induced by indomethacin and significantly enhanced the mucus content of the mucosa (p < 0.05). Al-Harbi et al. (1995) reported that fish oil, at a dose of 5 or 10 ml/kg body weight, provided significant protection in the various experimental models used. It produced a significant inhibition of gastric mucosal damage induced by pyloric ligation, NSAIDs, reserpine or hypothermic restraint ulcers.
Fish oil also exerted a significant inhibitory action on gastric mucosal lesions produced by various necrotizing agents showing that eicosapentaenoic acid in fish oil possesses both anti-secretory and anti-ulcerogenic effects. Manjari and Das (1998) also observed that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori and heal the ulcer suggesting that free radicals, anti-oxidants, nitric oxide and PUFAs may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of duodenal ulcer. The same authors (2000) confirmed that PUFAs could prevent dexamethasone induced gastric ulceration.
Fish oil significantly reduced the severity of ulceration in gastric ulcers induced by aspirin, cold-restraint stress (CRS), alcohol, and pylorus ligation. Interestingly the results also indicated the potentiality of fish oil in maintaining the integrity of gastric mucosa by virtue of its effect on both offensive and defensive gastric mucosal factors. It decreased the offensive acid-pepsin secretion and augmented the defensive factors like mucin secretion, cellular mucus and life span of mucosal cells following pylorus ligation.
There was a significant increase in the activity of anti-oxidant enzymes (catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and decrease in lipid peroxidation in gastric mucosa of CRS rats thus indicating the beneficial role of fish oil in gastric ulceration by inhibition of offensive mucosal factors and oxidative stress, and augmentation of defensive mucosal factors.
According to Theilla et al. (2007) a diet enriched with eicosapentanoic acid and gamma-linolenic acid and vitamins A, C and E is associated with a significantly lower occurrence of new pressure ulcers in critically ill patients with acute lung injury. So, they (2012a) fed fish oil and micronutrient enriched formula to pressure ulcer patients and found the same to prevent worsening of pressure ulcers.
They reported that this effect is mediated by an effect on adhesion molecule expression. Again Theilla et al. (2012b) observed that the mean levels of C-reactive protein and the mean score on the ulcer healing tool decreased significantly from day 0 to day 14 in the experimental group as compared to the control group in adult grade II patients. Thus, administration of a feeding formula enriched with fish oil was associated with decreased progression of pressure ulcers and a decrease in blood concentrations of C-reactive protein.
5. Manathakali (Solanum Nigrum):
Solanum nigrum, a herbal plant is recommended in ayurveda for the management of gastric ulcers. Rajeswari and Subbulakshmi (2003) demonstrated that the leaves and fruits (aqueous extracts) of Solanum nigrum strongly inhibited ethanol induced gastritis, fruits being more potent than leaves. The hydro-alcoholic extract of the fruits was also found to be effective in gastritis equivalent to fruit aqueous extract. The anti-ulcerogenic effect of this extract was not mediated through its antacid action.
In this context, it is of considerable interest to note that certain prostaglandins are able to protect the gastric mucosal erosions induced by ethanol and strong acids, without affecting the gastric acid secretion (cyto-protection). Thus, the leaves and fruits failed to affect the volume of gastric juice, and offered significant protection in ethanol induced gastritis and aspirin induced pyloric ligated ulcers.
Tannins were acclaimed to be anti-ulcerogenic phytochemicals in recent times. Ezaki et al. (1985) demonstrated that the anti-ulcerogenic activity of Linderae umbellatae was due to the presence of condensed tannins. Tannins are local cicatrizant substances, not being absorbed by the gastro-intestinal tract and probably have antiulcer action in the plants in which they are present in high concentrations.
According to de Jesus et al (2012) tannins react with the tissue proteins with which they come into contact. In gastric ulcers, this tannin-protein complex layer protects the stomach by promoting greater resistance to chemical and mechanical injury or irritation. This explains at least in part the anti-ulcer action of Solanum nigrum as the tannin content of leaves was 7.27 per cent (higher than that of fruits).
Jainu and Devi (2006) also confirmed these findings as the extract significantly inhibited H(+)K(+)ATPase activity and decreased the gastrin secretion in ethanol induced ulcer model. The histological studies showed the reduction of ulcer size by the S. nigrum extract. Toxicity studies also proved its safety.
6. Sundaikai (Solarium Torvum):
Solarium torvum (Solanaceae) is a plant used in Indian as well as Cameroon ethno-medicine for the treatment of stomach ailments. Gastric ulcerations induced by HCl/ethanol, indomethacin, pylorus ligation and stress, were alleviated by about 96 – 98 per cent when treated with aqueous methanolic extract of Solarium torvum (750 mg/kg) thus supported the ethno-medical uses of the plant in the treatment of gastric ulcer.
7. Camel Milk:
Camel milk fed to rats with ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the number of long ulcers, average length of ulcers, ulcer index and the volume of gastric juice. The total protein was significantly (P < 0.05) increased and the pH of gastric juice was not significantly changed. The curative ratio was 70.70 per cent in camel milk treated group as compared to 45.12 per cent in ranitidine treated rats.
Apart from the improved clinical course of the disease and the secretory and motor functions of the stomach in patients given mare, camel and cow’s milk, there was a complete wound healing and remarkable decline of its size in 93, 90, and 70 per cent of patients respectively. The antacid properties as assessed by radio-telemetry were also more pronounced in mare and camel milk.
8. Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea Var. Capitata):
Carvalho et al. (2011) validated the ethno-botanical claims regarding the use of cabbage in gastric disorders as evidenced by its significant inhibition in the formation of ulcers with a maximum of 99.44 per cent curation (250 mg/kg body weight) in acetylsalicylic acid-induced ulcers. According to Lemos et al (2011) the anti-ulcer activity of Brassica oleracea extract is based on its ability to stimulate the synthesis of mucus, increased pH and decreased H+ ions in the stomach.
9. Celery (Apium Graveolens):
The phyto-chemical screening of celery showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils, alkaloids, sterols and/or tri-terpenes. Pretreatment with celery extract produced dose-dependent reduction in all experimentally induced gastric lesions. Al-Howiriny et al. (2010) observed that Apium graveolens extract significantly protected the gastric mucosa and suppressed the basal gastric secretion in rats, possibly through its anti-oxidant potential.
10. Parsley (Petroselinum Crispum):
An ethanolic extract of parsley, (1 and 2 g/kg body weight) showed a significant anti-ulcerogenic activity in rats. Further, the depleted gastric wall mucus and non-protein sulfhydryl contents as a result of ethanol were replenished by pretreatment with Parsley extract. Acute toxicity tests showed a large margin of safety for the extract.
11. Spices:
Diets containing black pepper (0.5 per cent), piperine (0.02 per cent), red pepper (3.0 per cent), capsaicin (0.01 per cent), and ginger (0.05 per cent) fed to groups of Wistar rats for 8 weeks significantly enhanced the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes- superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase in both gastric and intestinal mucosa, suggesting a gastro-intestinal protective role for these spices.
12. Cumin/Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella Sativa):
Black seed or Nigella sativa (NS) has been reported to possess a large number of pharmacological activities including its anti-ulcer potential. In folkloric practices, the seeds are taken as such, in the form of coarse dry powder or the powdered seeds are mixed with water. An aqueous suspension of black cumin seed significantly prevented gastric ulcer formation induced by necrotizing agents and significantly ameliorated the ulcer severity and- basal gastric acid secretion in pylorus-ligated Shay rats. This anti-ulcer effect is either prostaglandin-mediated and/or through its anti-oxidant and anti-secretory activities.
The black cumin seed oil and its constituent thymoquinone (TQ) were also found in an experimental model to protect gastric mucosa against the injurious effect of absolute alcohol and promote ulcer healing as evidenced from the ulcer index values and at least partly by their radical scavenging activity.
This effect may also be related to the conservation of the gastric mucosal redox state. Tayman et al. (2012) confirmed the significant reduction in the severity of intestinal damage in necrotizing enter colitis by the seed oil.
According to Magdy et al (2012) TQ has novel gastro-protective mechanisms via inhibiting proton pump, acid secretion and neutrophil infiltration, while enhancing mucin secretion, and nitric oxide production. Although TQ was found to protect gastric mucosa against the ulcerating effect of alcohol and mitigated most of the biochemical adverse effects induced by alcohol in gastric mucosa, the effect of TQ was found to be lesser than whole black cumin seed.
Ramirez and Rao Jr. (2003) demonstrated that the tannins extracted from S. cumini have gastro-protective and anti-ulcerogenic effects. The healing effects on gastric ulcer was found to be 83 per cent for natural honey and 78 per cent for black cumin seeds as compared to 94 per cent for cimetidine a standard drug for ulcer treatment. In fact, 72 per cent, 78 per cent and 89 per cent of the animals showed recovery with honey, black cumin seeds and cimetidine respectively.
13. Curry Leaves (Murraya Koenigii):
Various doses of alkaloidal extract from M. koenigii leaves (10,20 and 40 mg kg(-1), p.o) showed promising anti-ulcerogenic activity with protection against acute gastric ulcers induced by ethanol plus hydrochloric acid and aspirin models in a dose dependent manner.
14. Anise/Fennel (Pimpinella Anisum):
Anise significantly inhibited gastric mucosal damage induced by necrotizing agents and indomethacin. Al Mofleh et al. (2007) observed that the anti-ulcer/cyto- protective effect of aqueous suspension of anise is either prostaglandin-mediated and/or through its anti-secretory and anti-oxidative properties.
15. Jamun (Eugenia Jambolana):
The gastro-protective properties of ethanolic extract of E. jambolana seed was reported to be mainly through promotion of mucosal defensive factors and antioxidant status and decreasing lipid peroxidation. In diabetics its anti-hyperglycemic and mucosal defensive actions were found to be responsible for ameliorating gastric ulcers. Jamun could also reverse the increased propensity to ulceration in diabetic rats. Surprisingly, the decrease in the acid-pepsin output was found to be even better than glibenclamide. This property of Eugenia jambolana seems to be due to its anti-diabetic and gastric anti-secretory effects.
16. Bitter Gourd (Momordica Charantia):
Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) is a multipurpose herb cultivated in different parts of the world for its edible fruits. Fruits of M. charantia have been frequently used in folk medicine for rapid healing of cutaneous lesions and peptic ulcer, especially in Western Anatolia in Turkey.
The olive oil extract as well as dried-powdered fruits of bitter gourd showed significant activity against HCl-EtOH induced ulcerogenesis in indomethacin-pretreated rats and diethyldithiocarbamate-induced ulcer models revealing its anti-ulcerogenic effect with the effects of oily extract (10ml/kg) being similar to famotidine.
Similarly, the healing of acetic acid induced gastric ulcer was increased by both doses 100 and 500 mg/kg of the extract. In pylorus-ligated rats, the extract showed significant decrease in ulcer index, total acidity, free acidity and pepsin content and an increase in gastric mucosal content. The extract also reduced the ulcer index in stress induced, ethanol induced and indomethacin induced gastric ulcers and cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer.
17. Cluster Beans (Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba):
Tender cluster beans (15 per cent freeze-dried powder fed to Wistar rats for 8 weeks) significantly enhanced the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, and GPX) and the concentrations of anti-oxidant molecules in both gastric and intestinal mucosa indicating a significant gastro-protective effect. There was a much greater effect when combined with capsaicin (0.01 per cent) in terms of increased antioxidant status.
18. Pumpkin (Cucurbita Pepo):
The pretreatment of aspirin treated albino rats with C. pepo fruit pulp extract for 14 consecutive days resulted in an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and mucosal thickness along with decrease in ulcer index. Thus, it is evident that pumpkin possesses gastro-duodenal protective and anti-ulcerogenic properties.
19. Amla (Emblica Officinalis/Phyllanthus Emblica):
Sairam et al. (2002) observed the ulcer protective potential of methanolic extract of Emblica officinalis in different acute gastric ulcer models induced by aspirin, ethanol, cold restraint stress and pyloric ligation. 10-50 mg/kg of the extract administered orally, twice daily for 5 days showed dose-dependent ulcer protective effects in all the above acute ulcer models.
A dose of 20 mg/kg showed 59 per cent healing after 5 days and 65.5 per cent after 10 days of treatment with methanolic extract of amla in chronic gastric ulcers induced by acetic acid in rats. The authors observed that the same might be due to its effects both on offensive as well as defensive mucosal factors.
Amla can be used as a gastro-protective agent in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastropathy as the healing effect was observed at 60mg/kg body weight. The effect was dose-dependent through the harmonization of the anti-oxidative property and modulation of anti-inflammatory cytokine level.
20. Papaya (Carica Papaya/Carica Candamarcensis):
Latex from Caricaceae contains proteolytic enzymes localized in the fruit, which are used ethnopharmacologically to treat digestive disorders. Some of these proteins display proliferative properties when probed with mammalian cells, suggesting a role in the reconstruction of wounded tissue.
In experimental rodent models proteolytic fraction derived from Carica candamarcensis (P1G10) between 0.1 and 10 mg/kg protected indomethacin but not ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. The maximal protection attained was 67 per cent with 10 mg/kg of P1G10. The healing rate by 10 mg/kg of P1G10 using the acetic acid ulcerogenic model was similar to that of omeprazole (10 mg/kg) or ranitidine (100 mg/kg) probably mediated by an increase in the mucus content by 25 per cent and stimulation of angiogenesis by 64 per cent in a manner similar to growth factors.
Carica papaya extract significantly reduced the ulcer index, lipid peroxide levels and alkaline phosphatase activity in the rats. It also maintained the activity of the antioxidant enzyme, catalase in the gastric mucosa, to near normalcy when compared with water controls.
21. Mango (Mangifera Indica):
Mangifera indica is a species of mango in the Anacardiaceae family. It is found in Indian forests and cultivated varieties have been introduced to other warm regions of the world. Mangiferin, a naturally occurring glucosylxanthone from Mangifera indica, (3, 10 and 30 mg/kg, P.O.) significantly attenuated the gastric damage induced by ethanol by 30, 35, and 63 per cent, and of indomethacin by 22, 23 and 57 per cent, respectively.
When mangiferin (30 mg/kg) was applied intra-duodenally to 4-h pylorus-ligated rats, significant decrease in gastric secretary volume and total acidity was observed. In addition, mangiferin effectively prevented the ethanol-associated depletion of gastric mucosal non-protein sulfhydryl content in mice, suggesting an anti-oxidant action.
22. Aloe Vera:
Tannins, one of the constituents of Aloe vera extract, form a pellicle over the lining of gastric mucosa to resist the attack of proteolytic enzymes and this might have helped in the restoration of glycoprotein moiety of gastric mucosa in Aloe vera treated ulcer rats. Flavonoids present in Aloe vera gel might play a role in stabilizing the antioxidant status of the gastric mucosa, which may have maintained its glycoprotein moiety. Thus, Aloe vera gel may have ameliorated glycoprotein abnormalities through its action on pepsin-mediated proteolysis.
Subramanian et al. (2007) observed that the treatment with Aloe vera gel extract antagonizes the aggressive factors, which play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of gastric lesions and augment defensive factors to protect the gastric mucosa from ulceration. The increase in the levels of glycoproteins, particularly sialic acid and hexosamine in the extract treated groups indicate the increase in the production of mucus, thereby possibly protecting the gastric mucosa in both ulcer models.
The efficacy of the extract was more or less same in both the models and showed promising antiulcer activity more than that of ranitidine. Thus they established the gastro- protective nature of Aloe vera gel extract. The histological studies further established the ulcer curative properties of Aloe vera leaf gel extract.
Park et al. (2011) reported that mice treated with the polymer fraction of Aloe Vera (150mg/Kg body weight) had significantly fewer gastric lesions than the controls as judged by matrix metalloproteinase (mRNA expression). They found the mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase were each reduced by ~50 per cent in Aloe vera treated mice as against the controls thus protecting the gastric mucosa.
23. Russian Olive/Wild Olive (Elaeagnus Angustifolia Fruits):
Extracts of the fruits of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae), fresh fruits of Hibiscus esculentus (Malvaceae), fresh roots of Papaver rhoeas L. (Papaveraceae), leaves of Phlomis grandiflora H.S. Thomson (Lamiaceae) and fresh fruits of Rosa canina L. (Rosaceae) exhibited statistically significant gastro-protective effect. Histopathological studies confirmed the results of the in vivo test.
24. Chicory (Cichorium Intybus):
The decoction of chicory root showed significant protection against ulcerogenesis in the stomach of ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The anti-ulcerogensis potential was also confirmed using histo-pathological techniques.
25. Winter Melon/Ash Gourd (Benincasa Hispida):
Benincasa hispida is recommended in Ayurveda for the management of peptic ulcers. Grover et al. (2001) reported that the oral feeding of different doses of the extract significantly reduced the ulcer index produced by various ulcerogens. The anti-ulcerogenic effect was dose-dependent in stress induced model of ulcer and not in other models. B. hispida probably has a CNS component in prevention of stress induced ulceration.
However, antihistaminic, anticholinergic effects and prevention of disturbance in gastric micro-circulation as possible modes of action cannot be ruled out. Chronic toxicity studies carried out for 3 months revealed no deleterious effect of fresh juice of B. hispida on various hematological and biochemical parameters studied. Thus, extracts of B. hispida may be considered to be a drug of natural origin possessing anti-ulcer activity.
26. Figs (Ficus Glomerata Roxb):
Traditionally figs (Ficus glomerata Roxb, syn. Ficus racemosa) are used to treat anemia and gastro-intestinal disorders. Rao et al. (2008) reported that ethanolic extract of F. glomerata fruit (FGE) (50,100 and 200 mg/ kg body weight) twice daily for 5 days resulted in dose dependent inhibition of ulcer index in pylorus ligation, ethanol and cold restraint stress-induced ulcers in rats.
FGE prevented the oxidative damage of gastric mucosa by blocking lipid peroxidation and by significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, H+ K+ ATPase and increase in catalase activity. Rao et al. (2008) opined that the gastro-protective activity might be due to gastric defence factors. The main constituents responsible for this activity might be phenolics. Ficus asperifolia extract also significantly increased gastric pH.
27. Bael Fruit (Aegle Marmelos):
Several anti-oxidant vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E have been isolated from Bael fruit. In aspirin induced gastro- duodenal ulceration in albino rat, pretreatment with Bael fruit pulp extract for 14 consecutive days showed the reverse effects of aspirin suggesting its gastro-duodenal protective and anti- ulcerogenic properties through its anti-oxidant mechanism.
28. Drumstick (Moringa Pterygosperma):
Drumstick flower buds have shown some decrease in the ulcer index.
29. Bay Laurel (Laurus Nobilis):
The Methanol extract of the fruits of Laurus nobilis showed significant stomach protection against ulcerogenesis confirming the Turkish Folkloric Remedies accumulated in the Data Bank.
30. Guarana (Paullinia Cupana Mart):
Guarana fruit is about the size of a coffee bean and due to the high caffeine concentration the seeds are used as a stimulant. Animals pretreated with Guarana (50 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) showed a significant reduction in the severity of gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol the effect being similar to caffeine (20 and 30 mg/kg p.o.). While higher dose of guarana offered significant protection against gastric ulceration induced by indomethacin, caffeine was ineffective at the doses tested.
31. Tulasi:
Ocimum sanctum (OS) is known to possess various therapeutic properties. OS was found to decrease the incidence and also enhance healing of ulcers. The methanolic extract of leaves of O. sanctum with eugenol content of 5 per cent given in doses of 50-200 mg/kg, orally, twice daily for five days showed dose- dependent ulcer protective effect against cold restraint stress induced gastric ulcers.
The extract also showed significant ulcer protection against ethanol and pyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcers, but was ineffective against aspirin-induced ulcers. Goel et al (2005) found that the leaves inhibited the offensive acid-pepsin secretion and lipid peroxidation, and increased the gastric defensive factors like mucin secretion, cellular mucus, and life span of mucosal cells.
Kath and Gupta (2006) observed in ethanol treated rats, Ocimum sanctum leaf extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) significantly decreased the levels of malondialdehyde to 2.45 ± 0.29 nmol/ml and 2.40 ± 0.14 nmol/ml respectively in comparison to 4.87 ± 0.06 in the diseased control. Similarly, in the histamine treated guinea pig group, the same doses of the extract significantly lowered the levels of malondialdehyde to 2.45 ± 0.12 nmol/ml and 2.37 ± 0.16 nmol/ml respectively when compared to 4.66 ± 0.11 in the diseased control.
The extract (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/ kg) also increased the levels of superoxide dismutase in pyloric ligated rats to 1.78 ± 0.12 U/ml and 1.89 ± 0.08 U/ml respectively when compared to 1.29 ± 0.06 U/ml in the diseased control. In the histamine treated guinea pig group also, the same doses of the extract produced a rise in the superoxide dismutase levels to 2.10 ± 0.11 U/ml and 2.20 ± 0.14 U/ml respectively when compared to 1.32 ± 0.07 in the diseased control. The lowered levels of malondialdehyde and increased levels of superoxide dismutase that signify anti-oxidant activity proved the beneficial effect of Ocimum sanctum.
At the dose of 250 mg/kg of the methanol extract of leaf of Ocimum suave there was complete inhibition of gastric lesions induced using the HCl/ethanol solution. In the pylorus ligated rats, the dose of 500 mg/kg completely inhibited lesion formation but with no effect on gastric acid secretion compared with the controls.
But inhibition of HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions by the Ocimum suave extract was significantly reduced on pretreatment with indomethacin. The mucus secretion promoting effect of the extract was most significant when the gastric environment was highly acidic. This suggests this treatment with Ocimum suave does not require the use of antacids and anti-secretary agents.
32. Neem:
Neem is known to have potent gastro-protective and anti-ulcer effects. Maity et al. (2009) on reviewing the studies available on the pharmacological and biochemical action of neem and their mechanism of action have concluded that neem bark extract has the potential for the development of novel medicines for the therapeutic control of gastric hyper-acidity and ulcer.
Bandyopadhyay et al. (2002b) also reported that aqueous extract of neem bark has potent anti-secretory and anti-ulcer effects in animal models and has no significant adverse effect. They attributed the pharmacological effects to a phenolic glycoside. Bandyopadhyay et al. (2004) confirmed the anti-secretory and anti-ulcer effects of neem bark on human subjects. Raji et al. (2004) found the stem bark extract of neem probably acts via histamine H2 receptor in inhibiting gastric secretion induced by histamine in rats.
The data obtained by Dorababu et al. (2006) suggested that the ulcer-protective effect of neem leaves may be due to its anti-secretary and proton pump inhibitory activity rather than on defensive mucin secretion. Further, with 2.5 g/kg dose of neem leaves have indicated no mortality in mice. Also when treated for 28 days with 1 g/kg dose of the extract, no significant alterations were seen in body or tissues weight, food and water intake, hematological profile and various liver and kidney function tests in rats.