Gastroprotective Effects of Root Bark of Oroxylum indicum, Vent.

Objective: The present study was designed, to evaluate the gastroprotective effects of ischolar_main bark of Oroxylum indicum, against gastric ulcers. Oxidative stress is considered to be important factors in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers. Materials and method: The 50% alcoholic extract of ischolar_main bark of Oroxylum indicum and its different fractions viz. petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol were studied (p.o.) against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage. Further, n-butanol fraction was also studied in Water Immersion Plus Restraint Stress (WIRS) - model. The parameters studied include ulcer index, score for intensity intraluminal bleeding and antioxidant activity. Results: Alcoholic extract (300 mg/kg) and its different fractions (100 and 300 mg/kg) showed significant reduction in gastric ulceration against ethanol-induced gastric damage. Out of all these fractions, n-butanol fraction showed significant maximum (99%) inhibition of gastric lesions. In WIRS- model, pretreatment with n-butanol fraction showed significant antiulcer and antioxidant activity in gastric mucosal homogenates, where it reversed the increase in ulcer index (UI), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decrease in superoxidedismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels induced by stress. Conclusion: The present study reveals significant gastroprotective effect of n-butanol fraction against both ethanol and WIRS-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The ulceroprotective activity of n-butanol fraction could be mediated through its antioxidant activity, vasodilatation, and gastric cytoprotection.