Activity of Tulsi leaves (Ocimum sanctum linn) in protecting gastric ulcer in rats by cold restrain method

Abstract

Background: Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum L.) common household plant, a potent adaptogen has been used for its medicinal property for many years. It is known in Ayurveda as Incomparable one, Mother of medicine of Nature and The Queen of Herbs. The present study evaluated the stress induced anti-ulcer effect of tulsi leaves in albino rats.Methods: Albino rats were randomly, allocated to different experimental groups and aqueous leaf extract of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is given for 7 days. Gastric ulcers were induced by cold restrain methods and results were compared with control using distilled water and standard drug Ranitidine.Results: The Anti-ulcer effect of aqueous extract of Tulsi was significant in a dose dependent manner with cold restraint model. The percentage of ulcer protection of Tulsi leaf extract at dose 100mg/kg is 68.85% and at dose of 200mg/kg showed 65.66% and the standard drug Ranitidine showed 78.23% ulcer protection which is significant (p <0.05).Conclusions: The study showed that when Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) is given at dose 100-200mg/kg for 7 days i.e., pre-treatment in rats for anti-ulcer effect, it caused a significant reduction in the ulcer scores and ulcer index when compared with control group, as evidenced by the gross appearance and histological findings of gastric mucosa in rats. There were few signs of mucosal injury and the percentage of damage was less compared to control group. Serosal surface revealed very few dilated blood vessels and petechial hemorrhages and mucosal surface had few ulcers of varying sizes.