Evaluation of the anti-ulcer activity of NR-ANX-C (a polyherbal formulation) in aspirin & pyloric ligature induced gastric ulcers in albino rats.
OBJECTIVE
The aetiology of gastric ulcers is not completely understood and continuous use of anti-ulcer agents leads to many side effects. In this study we evaluated the anti-ulcer efficacy of a polyherbal formulation with potent antioxidant activity in aspirin and pyloric ligature induced gastric ulcers in rats.


METHODS
The efficacy of the polyherbal formulation NR-ANX-C (composed of the extracts from Withania somnifera, Camellia sinensis, Ocimum sanctum, shilajith and triphala) was evaluated in terms of antioxidant potential as assessed in terms of protection from lipid peroxidation and the antiulcer activity as seen by the area of gastric lesions, gastric juice volume, gastric pH, total acidity and total adherent gastric mucus content.


RESULTS
In our study, NR-ANX-C (25 and 50 mg/kg) was more efficacious than ranitidine in reducing ulcer index in both the models. At the highest dose tested (50 mg/kg), NR-ANX-C was comparable to omeprazole in preventing ulcer formation in the pyloric ligature model. NR-ANX-C showed a dose- dependent decrease in gastric juice volume and total acidity in both the models. A dose-dependent increase in gastric pH and total adherent gastric mucus was also seen in NR-ANX-C treated groups. The extent of lipid peroxidation was also reduced in the test drug treated groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our findings, we presume that the cytoprotective, anti-secretary and antioxidant properties of NR-ANX-C were responsible for its anti-ulcer activity. These findings suggest the potential for use of NR-ANX-C as an adjuvant in the treatment of gastric ulcer.
Nair
Vinod
V
Department of Pharmacology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India. vinodnair1979@hotmail.com
Arjuman
Albina
A
Gopalakrishna
H N
HN
Dorababu
P
P
Mirshad
P V
PV
Bhargavan
Divya
D
Chatterji
Dipsanker
D
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; C528638:NR-ANX-C; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D001241:Aspirin