Research Article BIOPROSPECTING OF MEDICINAL PLANT COUROUPITA GUIANENSIS FOR ITS POTENTIAL ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITY

ABSTRACT: In the present investigation anti ulcer activity of methanol extract (flower) of the medicinal plant Couroupita guianensis was evaluated in Wistar rats.The experimental rats were divided into four groups (n = 6). The rats were administered with distilled water (Control), Omeprazole (10 mg/kg) (Positive control), MECG (200mg/kg b.w) MECG (400mg/kg b.w) and was followed by the ligation of pylorus region of the stomach for ulcer induction. The stomach of the sacrificed rats were microscopically analysed,gastric juice parameters such as gastric juice volume, pH, free acidity and total acidity and the biochemical parameters such as carbohydrate,protein and pepsin level were quantified. The results of the present investigation revealed that the ulcer protection was 86.82 % in rats treated with MECG 400 mg/ml and the ulcer score level was found 4.93±0.22 %..The MECG reduced gastric juice, free acidity, total acidity and PH in the experimental Wistar rats. The total acidity range and free acidity level was recorded 88.50 ± 5.09 and 61.83±4.71 respectively at the concentration of 400 mg / ml.The biochemical marker enzyme pepsin level was reduced to 15.36 µg/ml when compared with the ulcer induced control group (24.6