EFFECTS OF TRADITIONAL FORMULATIONS ON EXTRA GASTRIC MUCUS OF RATS

According to Iranian traditional Medicine (ITM) “Monzej” es are applied to mature and eliminate abnormal humor, correct the abnormal temperament and promote the formation of normal humor, restoring the functions of all organs and the natural body force. “Monzej-e-balgham” (applying the above functions on abnormal phlegm, called “Balgham” in ITM, is used to evacuate morbid matters produced due to excess or putrefaction of phlegm by maturing and eliminating the abnormal “Balgham”, leading to control the development of many diseases in human body like gastrointestinal disorders (poor digestion, sour burp and reflux), Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, hemiplegia, facial palsy, asthma, bronchitis, atherosclerosis, vitiligo and impotency. Regarding the definition of phlegm in traditional medicine and the characteristics of mucus, it can be argued that one of “Balgham” type could be the secretions of the gastrointestinal cells or mucus. Due to this similarity, it is possible to alter body’s mucus with the help of a “Monzej-e-balgham”. So, in this research, the effect of tablet and syrup formulations of “Monzej-e-balgham” on stomach mucus secretion in male rats has been evaluated using Alician blue assay. Tablet and syrup of “Monzej-e-balgham” significantly reduced the amount of extra gastric mucus in male rats (p< 0.001); but, there was no significant difference between the tablets and syrups effects on gastric mucosa and both formulations were equally effective in reducing excess mucus secretion in the stomach induced by misoprostol induction.