Background: According to an estimation of the WHO, almost 80% of people globally are treated by traditional medicine.
Objectives: We evaluated the anti-ulcerogenic potential of Salmalia malabarica extract in rats using aspirin-, alcohol- and pylorus ligation-induced ulcer models.
Material and methods: Two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) of Salmalia malabarica extract was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to all 3 ulcer-induced models for 5 consecutive days. The anti-ulcerogenic potential in rats treated with 2 doses of Salmalia malabarica extract and omeprazole (20 mg/kg, i.p.) was determined and compared to the control groups.
Results: Salmalia malabarica extract showed a significant decrease in ulcer index as compared to the control group in a dose-dependent manner. Salmalia malabarica extract also showed protection of 66.22% and 74.54% in asprin-, 73.79% and 78.14% in alcohol- and 68.94% and 78.84% in pylorus ligation-induced ulcers. However, omeprazole showed protection of 84.73%, 85.5% and 86.12% in aspirin-, alcohol- and pylorus ligation-induced ulcers, respectively. Furthermore, Salmalia malabarica extract significantly decreased the volume of gastric juice, free and total acidity, whereas it increased gastric pH when directly compared to the control group.
Conclusions: Conclusively, Salmalia malabarica possesses anti-ulcerogenic, antisecretory, and cytoprotective potential and can be used as a supplement for the treatment of gastric ulcers in a dose dependent manner.