Gastroprotective effects of Anisomeles indica Kuntze

The demands for cheap, anti-ulcer drugs are increasing. In Sri Lanka, there is a folklore belief that a boiled, aqueous extract (decoction) of leaves and stems of Anisomeles indica Kuntze (Lamiaceae) possesses gastroprotective properties. The aim of the present study was to scientifically investigate the validity of this claimed gastroprotective effects of A.indica in rats using ethanol and indomethacin induced gastric lesion models. The results demonstrated that the decoction of the leaves and stems of A.indica at the pre-flowering stage, but not the flowering stage, can offer a significant (P<0.01), and dose-dependent, gastroprotection (in terms of length and number of gastric lesions induced by ethanol or indomethacin). The extract of the pre-flowering plant, significantly increased the amount of mucous produced by the gastric mucosa and also significantly decreased the volume of gastric juice secreted, without any alteration in its acidity. This extract also possessed invitro antioxidant activity (as judged by TBARS assay). It is concluded that A.indica has significant gastroprotective activity that is mediated via an increase in the thickness of the protective mucous layer and by antioxident activity. However, for use of this plant for gastroprotection, it has to be collected during the pre-flowering stage.