Evaluation of Shivaksharpachan Churna for its Gastroprotective Activity

Summary Shivaksharpachan Churna is a popular marketed herbal formulation, composed of herbs and spices, used for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders by traditional healers. But there is no scientific evidence for its gastroprotective activity. So we have taken attempt to evaluate Shivaksharpachan Churna for its gastroprotective activity along with effect on the anti oxidant enzymes to justify its anti*ulcer action. Ethanolic extract of Shivaksharpachan Churna (ASE) (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) were administered orally, twice daily for 5 days for prevention from pylorus ligation (PL) and ethanol (EtOH)*induced ulcers followed by estimation of anti*oxidant enzymes i.e. LPO, SOD and catalase. ASE showed dose dependent inhibition of ulcer index in both models. ASE prevents the oxidative damage of gastric mucosa by blocking lipid peroxidation and significant increase in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. Results shows that ASE possesses significant gastroprotective activity which might be due to gastric defense factors and phenolics might be the main constituents responsible for this activity.