Anti-Ulcerogenic Evaluation of Torilis Leptophylla Plant Extract on Indomethacin Induced Mice Gastric Ulcer

Introduction: Despite conventional anti-ulcer therapies for peptic ulcer diseases, medicinal plants might provide effective new anti-ulcer compounds or, alternatively, as adjuncts to existing therapies. Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the effects of Torilis leptophylla on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in mice. Place and duration of study: It was an experimental study carried out in the Department of Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from March to December 2016. Material & Methods: Thirty six (36) adult healthy male BALB/C mice were divided equally in 6 groups and assigned as group I (control), group II (positive control), group III–V (TLM low, medium and high dose) and group VI (omeprazole). Gastric ulcers were induced by oral ingestion of indomethacin in groups II -VI. Acute oral toxicity of the plant was also tested. Antiulcer effect was assessed by measuring body weight, amount and pH of gastric juice, ulcer count, severity of gastric lesion, ulcer index, percentage (%) inhibition of ulcer and histopathology of gastric tissue. Results were analyzed by SPSS 20.0, P-value<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Gastric ulcer reduced the body weight in indomethacin induced animals (28 ± 2.53, 29.66 ± 3.88, 29.66 ± 2.33, 31 ± 3.52,32 ± 3.099 g in group II, III, IV, V and VI respectively) at day 3. Omeprazole and TLM treated groups reduced the gastric volume and pH as compared to positive control. Ulcer index (18.83, 5.14, 3.42, 1.71, 1.76 of the group II, III, IV, V and VI respectively) depicted significant reduction by treatment groups. Ulcer's percentage inhibition (72.7, 81.8, 90.88, 90.65 of low, median and high dose of TLM and standard drug respectively) was increased. Histopathological observations were remarkably reversed by TLM treated groups. Conclusion: Torilis leptophylla could significantly protect gastric mucosa from damage by indomethacin.