RESUMEN
In respect of the traditional uses of medicinal plants in the treatment of various ulcerative lesions; it was revealed that the flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium [L] Willd. were extensively used in folklore medicine to treat ulcerative lesions, tumors, diabetes and inflammation. So far our knowledge is concerned; the flowers were not yet scientifically evaluated for their antiulcer activity. The present study was carried out with the methanolic extract of the flowers to evaluate its antiulcer activity on aspirin and pylorus ligation-induced gastric lesion in Wistar albino rats. Methanolic extracts of flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium were suspended in 2%v/v of Tween 80, lOOmg/kg and 150mg/kg of methanolic extracts were administered orally to rats of different groups. Ranitidine at the dose level of 20 mg/kg was used as a standard for both aspirin [150 mg/kg, p.o.]-induced and pylorus ligated gastric ulcer models. The gastric content was collected and the volume was measured. The ulcerative index was determined by examining the inner lining of each stomach and was supplemented by the observation of histopathological changes such as congestion, corrosion, hemorrhage and necrosis. The results showed that the methanolic extract of flowers of Pterospermum acerifolium significantly [P<0.001] reduced the total volume of gastric juice, free and total acidity of gastric secretion when compared with the standard group [Ranitidine]. There was also a significant [P<0.001] reduction in ulcer index as compared to the control group