Gastroprotective effect of Indukanta ghritam in Aspirin plus Pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcers in Wistar Albino rats-An experimental evaluation

Among various gastric diseases, peptic ulcer is commonly reported in practice. The exact aetiology is unknown however, offensive and defensive factors and no acid no ulcer theories are nearer to its aetiology. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one of the causative factors, responsible for Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD). Various treatment modalities along with antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and H2-receptor antagonists etc. are available in conventional medical science but they have certain limitations as well as side effects. On the other hand, the traditional system of medicine may have the upper hand in such conditions. Various herbs, herbo-mineral and herbal formulations are described in Ayurveda for these conditions. Indukanta ghritam is one among the herbal formulations, which is mentioned in scheduled books of Drugs & Cosmetics act, 1940 and Sahasrayogam. It is useful in various gastric diseases and its clinical efficacy is proven. However, experimental data on its gastro-protective activity is not available till date. Thus, the present study was conducted to assess its gastroprotective activity at two different dose levels (4.5 g/kg and 9.0 g/kg) in aspirin plus pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcer model in wistar albino rats. The efficacy of the formulation was determined on the basis of ulcer index, gastric volume, pH of gastric juice, anti-oxidant parameters, and histopathology of the stomach. Indukanta ghritam at double therapeutic dose showed comparatively better results in comparison to standard treatment and therapeutic dose group inferring the therapeutic values of the Ghritam in cases of PUD.