Cytoprotective Activity of Cissus quadrangularis Linn Variant I AgainstGastric and Duodenal Ulcer in Rat Models

The square stemmed variety of Cissus quadrangularis L. variant I is a medicinal plant widely used for peptic ulcer and bone fractures in Indian Systems of Medicine. Though this medicinal plan is abundantly used in India, detailed studies are lacking on the variants and seasonal variations, which are to be addressed. The present study is carried out to evaluate the antiulcerogenic property of aqueous ethanolic extracts of the aerial parts in various ulcer models in animals. The study clearly elucidated that the drug was found to increase the defensive factors by virtue of its ulcer score, carbohy- drate protein ratio and decrease in aggressive factors like free acidity, pepsin apart from other biochemical parameters. Plants collected during flowering season are more effective than that collected during vegetative seasons. Extract signifi- cantly reduced the formation of gastric and duodenal lesions by virtue of its cyto-protective and mucin productive activi- ties.