Pterocarpus santalinus: a traditional herbal drug as a protectant against ibuprofen induced gastric ulcers.

The ethanol extract of Pterocarpus santalinus (PS) was evaluated for gastroprotection in rats using ibuprofen as the induction model. Rats treated with PS (100-400 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in gastric lesions. PS at a dose of 200 mg/kg was found to be the minimum effective dose and hence further studies with that dose were carried out. PS treatment increased the LDH activity and decreased the lipid peroxidation levels. The extract had the ability to increase the antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx when compared with the untreated but induced rats. The membrane bound ATPases - H(+)K(+)ATPase, Na(+)K(+)ATPase and Ca(2+)ATPases were increased upon the induction with ulcerogen. The treated group showed a decrease in the activities of these enzymes and also had the ability to restore the sodium and potassium ion concentrations to near normal levels, which were altered by ibuprofen mediated acid stimulation. The results suggest that the antiulcer properties of PS could traced to its acid inhibiting potential, antioxidant activity and the ability to maintain functional integrity of the cell membranes.