Protective effect of swertia chirata against indomethacin and other ulcerogenic agent-induced gastric ulcers

The effect of Swertia chirata has been studied on experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats. The ethanolic extract of chirata significantly reduced the intensity of gastric mucosal damage induced by indomethacin and necrotizing agents. It produced a significant decrease in gastric secretion •in pylorus-ligated rats. The extract inhibited acetylcholine-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum, suggesting its anti-cholinergic activity. Pretreatment of rats with the extract significantly 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.Corresponding Author: Dr. Syed Rafatullah, Medicinal, Aromatic and Poisonous Plants Research Center, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh-11451, Saudi Arabia. Email: [email protected]