GASTROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF FICUS DALHOUSIAE MIQ. ROOTS ETHANOLIC EXTRACT ON INDOMETHACIN AND COLD RESTRAINT STRESS INDUCED ULCERS IN WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Ficus dalhousiae Miq. is a plant found in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu on rocky hill top of dry deciduous forests. As it possesses antioxidant property wherein it reduces the elevated levels of ROS, the intent of the present study was to evaluate the Gastro protective effect of Ficus dalhousiae Miq Root ethanolic extract (FDREE) by means of Indomethacin and Cold Restrain stress induced Ulcers in Albino rats. Indomethacin 5mg/kg body weight p.o; for five days and Cold restraint stress models, were used for inducing gastric ulcers in rats. Biochemical parameters such as Glutathione, Malondialdehyde, acidity, Gastric volume, gastric pH and Ulcer index were determined in order to assess the gastro protective activity of FDREE in both the models. Treatment of rats with Indomethacin and subjecting them to Cold restraint stress (CRS) elevated the levels of Gastric volume, acidity, Glutathione, Malondialdehyde and gastric pH in negative control group in comparison with normal group. The elevated levels were significantly reversed when treated with standard drug Ranitidine 50 mg/kg body weight p.o; and Ficus dalhousiae root ethanolic extracts (FDREE). Histopathology of stomach was in support of above mentioned results. In conclusion it can be stated that Ficus dalhousiae Miq root ethanolic extracts showed a significant reversal of ulcerative parameters. It could be conceived that it exerts its activity due to the presence of flavonoids which have been reported to protect the mucosa by formation of a protective layer.