Antiulcer and antioxidant effects of Normacid syrup (a polyherbal formulation) on experimentally-induced gastric ulcers

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study the antioxidant and antiulcer activities of Normacid syrup® (NS) in mice. Effects of NS (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., for 14 days) were studied on pylorus ligation and diclofenac-induced ulcers. Antiulcer activity of NS was assessed from gastric secretion parameters, mucosal nitrite level and mucin content in gastric mucosa. The activity of antioxidant enzymes like super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the stomach tissue were quantified. Histopathological studies were done on stomach tissues. Pre-treatment with NS significantly (p < 0.05) reduced ulcer score and ulcer index in pylorus ligated (62.20–67.50 % protection) and diclofenac (64.19–70.85 % protection)-induced gastric ulcers. NS decreased the gastric volume, free acidity and total acidity and increased the pH of gastric fluid. Simultaneously, the level mucosal nitrite and mucin content were increased significantly (p < 0.001). In addition, pre-treatment with NS significantly increased activities of SOD (p < 0.001), CAT (p < 0.001), GSH (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001), and reduced the MDA level (p < 0.001), in both models. The antiulcer activity of NS is further supported by attenuation of histopathological changes caused by pylorus ligation and diclofenac. The results suggested that NS has potential antiulcer activity against pylorus ligation and diclofenac-induced ulcer model. The antiulcer activity might be due to its antisecretory, cytoprotective and antioxidant mechanism.