EFFECTS OF CISTUS-LAURIFOLIUS L FLOWERS ON GASTRIC AND DUODENAL LESIONS

The flowers and flower buds of Cistus laurifolius L. are used for the treatment of peptic ulcers. Through the bioassay-guided fractionation of the material, using water immersion and immobilisation-induced stre ss ulcer model, the EtOH-precipitated part from the aqueous extract (E -H2O down arrow) was determined to be the active fraction. For the eva luation of the mode of action, the activity of E-H2O down arrow was te sted using various ulcer models in rats and mice and this fraction was found active against pylorus ligation-, abs. ethanol-, indomethacin-, indomethacin plus HCl/EtOH-induced gastric and cysteamine-induced duo denal lesions while ineffective against serotonin-induced gastric lesi ons. The active fraction showed its activity not only on per os admini stration but also after subcutanous injection. According to the result s of biochemical studies, the active fraction showed a potent antiacid activity. In addition, histopathological, and toxicological studies w ere conducted with the active fraction. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Irel and Ltd.