PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF SWERTIA-CHIRATA AGAINST INDOMETHACIN AND OTHER ULCEROGENIC AGENT-INDUCED GASTRIC-ULCERS

The effect of Swertia chirata has been studied on experimentally induc ed gastric ulcers in rats. The ethanolic extract of chirata significan tly reduced the intensity of gastric mucosal damage induced by indomet hacin and necrotizing agents. It produced a significant decrease in ga stric secretion in pylorus-ligated rats. The extract inhibited acetylc holine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum, suggesting its anti-ch olinergic activity. Pretreatment of rats with the extract significantl y prevented ethanol-induced gastric wall mucus depletion and restored the non-protein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) content in the glandular stomachs. These findings support the use of chirata for the treatment of gastric ulcers in traditional medicine.