PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF AERIAL PARTS OF POLYGONUM GLABRUM FOR ANTIULCER ACTIVITY IN WISTAR RATS

Polygonum glabrum has been used to treat peptic ulcer disease , but its efficacy has not been validated. The present study was therefore carried out to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of 75% ethanolic aerial extract of polygonum glabrum in wistar rats. The Antiulcer Activity of 75% ethanolic aqueous extract of aerial parts of Polygonum glabrum at a dose of 200, 400 mg/kg b.w p.o was investigated in Diclofenac induced ulcers in Albino Wistar rats (180-230 gm). In this model parameters evaluated are gastric volume, total acidity, free acidity and ulcer index. There was no mortality up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg b.w p.o indicating the safety of the plant. Preliminary Phytochemical studies showed the presence of Carbohydrates, Flavanoid, Glycosides, Tannins, Protein, Terpenes and Volatile Oils. 75% ethanolic aqueous extract of Polygonum glabrum at a dose of 200,400 mg/kg b.w p.o produced significant reduction of ulcers in diclofenac induced ulcer Model as compared to control group by decreasing gastric volume, total acidity, free acidity and severity of ulcer. The ulcer protective effect of extract was comparable with that of the standard drugs. Results of study suggest that 75% ethanolic aqueous extract of Polygonum glabrum posses Mucoprotective effect which may be due to the presence of flavanoids in the extract as it has an astringent property. Keywords: Antiulcer activity, Polygonum glabrum, Diclofenac, Mucoprotective effect and Experimental rats.