Gastroprotective effects of ethanolic extract from Cissampelos pareira in experimental animals

Ethanolic extract of Cissampelos pareira (L.) Hirsuta (Menispermaceae) roots have been examined in various acute and chronic ulcers in validated experimental models in rats. C pareira extract of 25-100 mg/kg administered orally, twice daily for 5 days showed a dose-dependent, ulcer-protective effect. The extract demonstrated significant protection against 100% ethanol- (P < 0.05), aspirin- (P < 0.001), cold-restraint stress- (P < 0.01) and pylorus ligation(P < 0.001) induced acute gastric ulcers in rats. A flavonoid Quercetin, isolated from C pareira, showed significant antiulcer property (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001) against gastric ulcers in different acute models. In chronic ulcers induced by 50% acetic acid, C pareira significantly (P < 0.001.) reduced the ulcer index with decreased perforations after 5- and 10-day treatment. C. pareira significantly enhanced the defense factors as total hexose and sialic acid while significantly reducing the ulcer index in the lipid peroxidase product malondialdehyde in ethanol-induced ulcers.