Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn on peptic ulcers and gastric mucosal offensive and defensive factors

Abstract

Ocimum santum Linn is a commonly mentioned plant in a number of Ayurvedic texts like Caraka samhita, Susrutha and Cakaradutta. Its multifaceted activities has been widely reported. The present study incorporates an extensive study on juiceof fresh leaves of Ocimum santum on gastric ulceration and on various offensive factors like acid and pepsin secretion and defensive mucosal factors like mucin secretion, mucosal cell shedding and glycoproteins. The juice of Ocimum santum was given orally twice daily at 10.00 am and 4.00 p.m. for five days in the doses of 525 and 1050 mg/kg (in terms of dry weight). The result indicated significant antiulcer activity against ethanol, aspirin, 2h cold restraint stress and pyloric ligation induced gastric ulcers. Ocimum santum in the dose of 1050 mg/kg significantly reduced the offensive factors like acid and peptic secretion and Increased the defensive factors like mucin secretion and decreased cell shedding. The antiulcer effect could be due to its effect both on offensive and defensive mucosal factors, which were increased and decreased repectively.