Background:
Zizyphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd. (Rhamnaceae) is a straggling
shrub or a small tree, armed with spines, found throughout north western India, Pakistan and
China.
Methods:
The aerial and root barks, leaves and fruits of Zizyphus species are used in medicine
for the treatment of various diseases such as weakness, liver complaints, obesity, diabetes,
skin infections, fever, diarrhea, insomnia and digestive disorders. Ethanolic extract of
leaves of Zizyphus xylopyrus (Retz) Willd was prepared by solvent extraction and subjected
to study the protective effect against Indomethacin and HCl-EtOH induced ulcer using Ranitidine
(100 mg/kg) and Omeprazole (8 mg/kg) as standard respectively.
Results:
Histopathological lesions with marked disorientation of the gastric epithelium was
observed in negative control, while extract treated rats showed a better protected mucosa
with intact epithelium in comparison to standard treated rats. Ulcer index and percentage ulcer
protection also represent protecting effects of the extract.
Conclusion:
Ethanolic extract of Z. xylopyrus (Retz) Willd leaves extract was found to be
significantly protective against gastric ulcers.