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Abstract

Trichosanthes dioica Roxb (family: Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as "Sespadula" in English and "Parwal" in Hindi and is widely grown throughout India. The leaves of this plant have also been used in traditional system of medicine for overcoming problems like constipation, fever, skin infection, wound healing and also in gastric ulcer. In the present study Aqueous extract of leaves of Trichosanthes dioica Roxb was evaluated for its antiulcer activity against; 1) Aspirin plus pylorus ligation model and, 2) Ethanol/HCl-induced ulcer in wistar rats. Ranitidine (100 mg/kg) was used as the standard drug. Different groups of rats (n=6 in each group) were given two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) of T.dioica extract. Phytochemical analysis of the extract was also done. Phytochemical results revealed presence of tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, flavanoids. Thus only T.dioica extract (500 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.001) reduced the ulcer index in all the models used. The extract also significantly (p<0.001) increased the pH of gastric acid while at the same time reduced the volume of gastric juice, free and total acidities. Also it showed significant (p<0.05) reduction in pepsin activity. In conclusion, the present study provides preliminary data on antiulcer potential of Trichosanthes dioica leaves and supports the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of gastric ulcer.