RESUMO
The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-ulcer activity of a methanol extract of Bauhinia purpurea leaf [MEBP]. Materials and Methods: MEBP was administered at doses of 100, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg and its effects on acute toxicity, absolute ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration, and pyloric ligation tests in rats were investigatedAt a dose of 5,000 mg/kg, MEBP did not cause any signs of toxicity in rats when given orally. Oral administration of MEBP exerted anti-ulcer activity [p < 0.05] in all models tested. However, a dose-dependent pro-tection was observed only in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration model. Histological studies supported the observed anti-ulcer activity of MEBP. In the pyloric ligation assay, MEBP significantly increased gastric wall mucus secretion [p < 0.05], but did not affect the acidity of the gastric contents. EBP exhibited antiulcer activity, which could be due to the presence of flavonoids, saponins or other polyphenols, thereby validating the traditional use of B. purpurea in the treatment of ulcers