ABSTRACT
Melastoma malabathricum L. Smith [Melastomaceae] has been used in the Malay traditional culture to treat ulcer-based ailments. The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential anti-ulcer effect of aqueous extract of M. malabathricum leaves [AEMM] using ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer models in rats. Rats were divided into ten groups [n=6] and received DMSO [10%; negative group], ranitidine [100mg/kg; positive group] or AEMM [50, 250 and 500mg/kg] orally for 7 days and on the 8[th] day subjected to the respective gastric ulcer models. The stomachs were collected and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic analysis. At all groups tested, the AEMM exerted significant [p<0.05] anti-ulcer effect only against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. The percentage of anti-ulcer for the 50-500mg/kg AEMM ranging between 50-82%, respectively. The macroscopic observations were supported by histological findings. In conclusion, AEMM exhibits potential anti-ulcer activity attributed to its previously proven high flavonoids content and antioxidant activity