Anti-ulcer and antioxidant activity of DHC-1, a herbal formulation.

DHC-1, a herbal formulation, was tested for its anti-ulcer and antioxidant activity in rats. Effect of various doses (125, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) of DHC-1 was studied on gastric secretion and gastric ulcers in pylorus-ligation and on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. The reduction in ulcer index in both the models along with the reduction in volume and total acidity, and an increase in the pH of gastric fluid in pylorus-ligated rats proved the anti-ulcer activity of DHC-1. The increase in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and membrane bound enzymes like Ca(2+)ATPase, Mg(2+)ATPase, and Na(+)K(+)ATPase and decrease in lipid peroxidation (MDA) in both the models showed the antioxidant activity of the formulation. Thus, it can be concluded that DHC-1 possesses anti-ulcer activity, which can be attributed to its antioxidant mechanism of action.