Shanmukha I, Vijay Kumar M, Ramachandra Setty S*
Tecoma stans leaves have been documented in Ayurvedic literature for treatment of various ailments especially in gastralgia. To lay scientific evidence for this ethno botanical usage, the study was designed to investigate the gastroprotective effects against aspirin induced, and pylorus ligation gastric ulcer models. Preliminary phytochemical investigation was carried out to identify various constituents present in extract and found to contain alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, saponins, phytosterols, flavonoids, proteins and amino acids. The various relevant biochemical markers like mean ulcer index, gastric volume, gastric pH, free acidity and total acidity were estimated to assess the gastro protective potential of the extract. The test extract was also screened for its influence on tissue GSH levels and lipid peroxidation. The treatment with test extract has reversed all the biochemical markers of ulcer to the near normal levels in a dose dependant manner. From the results it may be concluded that the test extract possess gastroprotective activity. The gastro protective properties of the plant may be attributed to the polyphenolic compounds like flavonoids and tannins that are present in the plant. Thus it supports the traditional use of Tecoma stans in treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
