Evaluation of the Anti-Ulcer Activity of NR-ANX-C (A Polyherbal Formulation) in Aspirin & Pyloric Ligature Induced Gastric Ulcers in Albino Rats (Report‪)‬

Gastric ulcers are mucosal lesions that result from an imbalance between aggressive factors such as acid and pepsin, and defensive mechanisms like gastric mucous, high mucosal blood flow and high mucosal turnover rate that work towards maintenance of mucosal integrity1. Another factor that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers is oxidative stress in the gastric mucosa. Studies have shown a positive correlation between increased free radicals and the extent of gastric ulceration in experimental animals (2-4). Agents that are currently available for the treatment of gastric ulcers act by either reducing gastric acid secretion (H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors, anti muscarinic agents), acting as physical barriers (sucralfate, colloidal bismuth subcitrate), or increasing the mucous and bicarbonate secretion (prostaglandin analogues, carbenoxolone). Even though these agents are effective in healing of gastric ulcers, continued use is required to prevent recurrence. Continued use of these agents can in turn lead to a plethora of side effects ranging from dryness of mouth to achlorhydria, atrophic gastritis, osteodystrophy and encephalopathy (5). A new approach would be the use of cytoprotective agents that can also modulate the antioxidant defenses in the body and thus prevent mucosal damage and gastric ulceration. As plants are a rich source of active principles and antioxidants, there has been a growing interest to identify and scientifically validate agents that have traditionally been used in folk medicine in the treatment of gastric ulcers and related diseases. NR-ANX-C is a polyherbal formulation (a test drug supplied by Natural Remedies Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India) containing aqueous extracts of Withania somnifera root, triphala and shilajith and the ethanolic extracts of Ocimum sanctum and Camellia sinensis leaves. All the individual components of the above mentioned polyherbal formulation have been shown to possess significant antioxidant potential (6-11). In this study we evaluated the efficacy of NR-ANX-C in preventing aspirin and pyloric ligature induced gastric ulcers in rats. As various factors including gastric acidity, free radical damage and loss of mucosal defense have been implicated in the development of gastric ulcers, we evaluated the test drug so as to assess its cytoprotective, anti-secretory and antioxidant properties.