EVALUATION OF ANTIULCER ACTIVITY OF TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM LEAVES METHANOLIC EXTRACT AGAINST WATER IMMERSION RESTRAINT STRESS-INDUCED ULCERS IN RATS
The effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn. (Fenugreek) leaves methanolic extract on gastric ulcers was evaluated by using water immersion restraint stress induced ulcer model in rats. The Extract was administered orally at two different doses of 250mg/kg-1p.o.and 500mg/kg-1p.o.and the antiulcer effect was compared with that of omeprazole 10mg/kg-1p.o.. Both the doses showed a significant reduction in ulcer formation and increase the inhibition of gastric lesions. Histopathological sections showed significant decrease in neutrophil infiltration in gastric mucosal tissues, mucosal ulceration, inflammatory mucosal changes and submucosal edema with regenerated epithelial cells compared to untreated and omeprazole-treated rats. The results suggest that, the leaves TFG possess significant antiulcer activity against water immersion restraint stress induced ulcers in rats and the antiulcer activity could be due to the presence of various phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids and flavonoids as these compounds have well documented antiulcer activity.