Abstract

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF WHOLE PLANT EXTRACTS OF BLEPHARIS REPENS (VAHL) ROTH FOR ANTIULCER ACTIVITY

*Ashvini V. Govande, Dr. Nitin B Ghiware, Dr. Mahavir H. Ghante, Dr. Vijayendra Swamy S.M., Priyanka P. Tadkase and Vidhya V. Mali

ABSTRACT

Blepharis repens (vahl) Roth, belonging to family Acanthaceae, is commonly known as Hadsan. It is ethnopharmacologically claimed to exhibit diuretic, antidote for snake bite, anti-hypertensive, treat bronchitis, joint pain, cancer and stomach problems. There were traditional claims for the antiulcer activity of the plant however; no systematic scientific study was yet done. Therefore, the present study is aimed to evaluate the antiulcer potential of standardized chloroform and methanol extract of whole plant of Blepharis repens (vahl) Roth in Indomethacin induced and pylorus ligation induced ulcer models. Extracts at 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg shows significant antiulcer activity by elevating the pH of gastric acid, decrease in gastric content volume and ulcer index when compared to control and standard drug (Omeprazole). The said activity might be due to the presence of bioactive constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroid, saponins, tannins and phenols.

Keywords: Blepharis repens, Phenolic, Flavonoid, Antioxidant, Antiulcer activity.