Phytochemical and Pharmacological Evaluation of Anti-Ulcer Activity of Excoecaria Agallocha Linn.

The present study was undertaken to determine the antiulcer activity of ethanolic ctivity of leaves extract from of Excoecaria agallocha linn. The pharmacognostical studies made on the leaves extact Excoecaria agallocha linn ash values, extractive value, loss on drying, fluorescence analysis and foaming index gave valuable information. The preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, gums and phytosteroids. The pharmacological and acute toxicity studies of ethanol extract was performed by following, OECD-423 guidelines (Acute toxic class method). No mortality or acute toxicity was observed (3 days) up to 2000mg/kg of body weight. The phytoconstituents like flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and saponins have been reported in several anti-ulcer literatures as possible gastroprotective agents. Flavonoids, tannins and triterpenes are among the cytoprotective active materials for which antiulcerogenic efficacy has been extensively confirmed. It is suggested that these compounds will be able to stimulate mucus, bicarbonate and prostaglandin secretion, and counteract with the deteriorating effects of reactive oxidants in gastrointestinal lumen. Tannins may prevent ulcer development due to their protein precipitating and vasoconstriction effects.