LAUSR

Abstract The potential of methanolic leaves extract of H. elasticus in the mitigation of ulcer and inflammation was evaluated in this work. Ethanol and pylorus ligation induced rats were used for the screening of ulcer, whereas the anti-inflammatory activity against acute and chronic phases of inflammation was screened using carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma in rats. The H. elasticus (200 and 400 mg/kg p.o.) was administered to the ethanol and pylorus ligation induced rats. Gastric volume, pH, free acidity and total acidity were estimated in pylorus ligation induced ulcers of rats. Treatment with H. elasticus showed a reduction in ulcer index against ethanol and pylorus ligation induced ulcerations. The antiulcer activity may be due to the antisecretory and cytoprotective effects of the extract. Moreover, it also showed a highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) reduction in carrageenan and cotton pellet induced inflammations. This investigation suggests that H. elasticus leaves possess anti-inflammatory activity and promotes ulcer protection.