Protective Effect of Psidium guajava L. Stem Bark on Aspirin Plus Pylorus Ligation-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats Check Access

Peptic ulcer is a problem worldwide and its prevalence is quite high in India. Several field studies from different parts of the country suggests its occurrence in 3-10 per thousand population. The present study was intended to evaluate the protective effect of ethanol extract of Psidium guajava L. stem bark on aspirin plus pylorus ligation-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The ability of Psidium guajava L. stem bark to provide gastric protection was studied at two different oral doses, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. Omeprazole (20 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a standard in the present study. The protective effect was assessed by determining and comparing the gastric volume, pH, free, total and bound acidity; ulcer number and its inhibition, ulcer severity, ulcer index and its protection, and gastric lesion. The ethanolic extract of Psidium guajava L. stem bark showed significant (p<0.01) reduction in gastric volume, free acidity, ulcer index as compared to control. The results obtained in the present study indicated that the Psidium guajava L. stem bark has a protective action against gastric ulcers.