PA01.46. Gastro protective effect of normacid powder, an herbal formulation on experimental induced ulcer in mices

PURPOSE: Present study was carried out to investigate antiulcer activity of Normacid powder in diclofenac and pylorus ligated induced ulceration in the albino mices. METHOD: Preliminary normacid powder was subjected to the acute oral toxicity study according to the OECD guideline no. 425. Based on which, two dose levels i.e. 250 and 500 mg/kg were selected for the further study. Various parameters were studied viz. gastric juice volume, pH, total acidity, free acidity, ulcer index, percentage inhibition, anti oxidants parameter, mucin level and mucosal nitrate level of ulceration was determined for diclofenac and pylorus induced ulcer model. Ranitidine at 20 mg/kg was used as the standard drug. RESULT: Pre-treatment of normacid powder showed significant (P<0.001) decrease in the gastric volume, total acidity and free acidity. However, pH of the gastric juice was significantly (P<0.001) increased only at higher dose, 500 mg/kg. It showed also significant (P<0.001) decrease in number of ulcers and ulcer score index in diclofenac and pylorus ligation induced ulceration models. The increase in the level of superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and decrease in lipid peroxidation in both the models showed the antioxidant activity of the formulation. Also increase in mucin and mucosal nitrate level in both models showed the cytoprotective activity of the formulation. Normacid powder possesses significant antiulcer properties in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: In conclusion the antiulcer properties of the normacid powder may be due to the modulation of defensive factors, improvement in gastric cytoprotection and due to antioxidant property.