Anti-ulcer Activity of Withania Somnifera in Stress plus Pyloric Ligation Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

Anti-ulcer activity of methanolic extract of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and its action against stress plus pyloric ligation induced gastric ulcer in rats has been reported. Treatment with Withania somnifera extract (100 mg/Kg/day p.o.) for 15 days significantly reduced ulcer index as compared to control group. Extract also significantly reduced volume of gastric secretion, free acidity and total acidity. Significant increase in total carbohydrate (TC) and TC / total protein (TP) ratio of gastric juice was also observed. No significant change in the total protein was noted. A significant increase in antioxidant enzymes viz. catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) but decrease in malondialdihyde (MDA) was observed. Withania somnifera extract was found to be an effective antiulcerogenic agent, whose activity can well be compared with that of ranitidine hydrochloride. The present study suggests that Withania somnifera have not only inhibitory effects on release of gastric hydrochloric acid but it also increase various defensive factors including antioxidant defense to protect gastric mucosal damage.