EFFECT OF FICUS BENGHALENSIS LEAVES EXTRACT ON EXPERIMENTAL CHRONIC ULCERS IN RATS
Nature has provided a complete storehouse of remedies to cure ailments of mankind. About 80% of the world's population depends wholly or partially on traditional medicine for its primary health care needs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the Gastro protective effect of selected Indian medicinal plant Ficus benghalensis belonging to family Moraceae. The ethanolic extract of Ficus benghalensis was used for gastroprotective effects on experimental models. All the drug solutions were prepared in 1% CMC solution and administered to the rats for eight days drug treatment. Three distinct animal models were taken for efficient estimation of ulcerogenic activity. Model 1: Pylorus ligation + aspirin induced gastric ulcer model, Model 2: Acetic acid induced gastric ulcer, Model 3: Ethanol-hydrochloric acid induced gastric ulcer. After drug treatment the rats were sacrificed for measurement of ulcer index and chemical parameter s. The plant showed a definite positive effect on Anti ulcer activity in rats. In the present study, it is concluded that the gastro -protective activity seems to be related with a reduction of damage in mucosa induced by free radicals and this activity may be due the presence of phenolic compound.