ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITY OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF PARKIA SPECIOSA AGAINST INDOMETHACIN INDUCED PEPTIC ULCER IN ALBINO RATS

This study was performed to determine the anti-ulcer effects of ethanol extract of Parkia speciosa on Indomethacin induced peptic ulcer in Albino rats. Rats of female sex weighing between 150 g – 200 g were used. Rats were divided into six groups with six rats in each group. Omeprazole (20 mg/kg) were used as a standard drug for this study. Parkia speciosa extract were given in three different doses comprised of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. Pre-treatment were done for 14 days and at the end of the 14th day, rats were kept fasted for 24 hours before administration of Indomethacin at 30 mg/kg. Administration of drugs was done orally. At the end of the study, rats were sacrificed and stomachs were open and stored in 10% formalin solution. The acidity of gastric juice, gastric mucosal lesion and histological changes were studied.  Extracts of Parkia speciosa showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in acidity of gastric juice as compared to the ulcer control group.  Two doses of Parkia speciosa ethanol extract that is 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg showed significant (P<0.05) reduction in lesion length as compared to ulcer control group. Histological studies showed lesser collagen and fibrosis were present in tissue from rats treated with Parkia speciosa extract compared to tissues of rats from ulcer control group.