Study of anti-ulcer activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of leaves of withania somnifera Linn.

ABSTRACT

Hydro-alcoholic extract [11] of leaves of Withania somnifera Linn. [Family Solanaceae] was investigated for antiulcer and six weeks of sub acute toxicity study in rats. The acute toxicity study as also performed using mice as animal. Screening for the antiulcer activity was assessed on aspirin, indomethacin, ethanol, cold restraint stress and pylorus ligation induced ulcers. The plant extract was also subjected to sub acute toxicity study of six weeks duration in mice using body and organ weight variation test and different hematological and biochemical parameters. The extract was found to possess significant antiulcer activity in all tested models when compared with control [vehicle] and reference standard drugs Cimetidine and Omeprazole. The acute toxicity study of the test extract revealed an increase in WBC count, keeping all other parameters approximately normal