Antiulcer Activity of Euphorbia hirta against Experimentally Induced Ulcer in Rats

Euphorbia hirta, an important medicinal herb, belongs to genus Euphorbia, family Euphorbiaceae, which has been presumed for its favorable medicinal effects. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta aerial parts for its anti-ulcer activity by various gastric ulcer models. Oral administration of the Euphorbia hirta at 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly inhibited ulcer formation induced by various ulcer models like pylorus ligation, indomethacin, HCl/EtOH and restraint-stress in rats. In pylorus-ligated rats, pretreatment with the Euphorbia hirta extract had reduced gastric secretion. In HCl/EtOH induced ulcerated rats, gastric wall mucus was significantly preserved by the Euphorbia hirta pretreatment at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. The findings indicate that the ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta possesses gastroprotective potential which is related partly to preservation of gastric mucus secretion and anti secretary action.