Moringa for stomach ulcer

Studies have been conducted to evaluate the antiulcer and antioxidant activities of the alcoholic extract of moringa oleifera leaves using animal models. Research aimed at studying activity with mucosal pepsin and defensive mucin secretion. Glycoprotein and antioxidant activity of leaves extract in animal models were also tracked. A study has been devised to study effect of the extract on stomach ulcers.

These activities were tested in Wistar albino rats at dose levels of 125, 250, 500 mg/kg. Extract was administered as oral dosage and this was compared with ranitidine (50 mg/kg) as standard. During ulcer condition, there was an increase in gastric mucosal SOD and LPO levels. This indicated that the generation of relative oxygen species during stress might be causative factor for the inactivation of gastric peroxidase.

Alcoholic leaves extract has shown ulcer protective effect as dose dependent. Parameters tested against include pylorus-ligation, ethanol, cold restraint stress, and aspirin induced gastric ulcer in rats. Leaves extract has been found to decrease ulcer and acid pepsin secretion. A change has been observed in CAT, SOD and LPO levels in gastric mucosa. This activity in rat models was due to antioxidant property of alcoholic leaves extract. Antioxidant defense mechanism of the extract has been due to metabolic activity of lipid peroxides and peroxide radicals.

Gastric hyperacidity and ulcer causes issues at global levels irrespective of the ethnic origin. It occurs due to imbalance between damaging factors. Protective mechanisms within the gastro duodenal mucosa, lumen is important to maintain the digestion mechanism. Trauma, hemorrhagic surgical shock, emotional stress, prolonged anxiety, burns, has been found to cause severe gastric irritation. Oxygen derived free radicals involvement in the pathogenesis of a variety of digestion related issues and gastric damage were studied. They were found to be caused by chemical, physical and psychological factors. These lead to gastric ulceration in human and experimental animals. Antacids and antihistaminic are the allopathic drugs used for the treatment of gastric ulcers.

But most of these allopathic drugs are capable of producing several adverse reactions, such as arrhythmias, impotence, gynecomastia and hematopoeitic issues. Herbal product extracts have been shown to give relief for the treatment of gastric ulcer. Increased gastric motility, paroxysmal vagal over activity mast cell degranulation, low gastric mucosal blood flow and decreased prostaglandin level. Stress was found to be one of the major factors in causing gastric damage induced by ischemia and reperfusion injury, hemorrhagic shock and alcohol intake.

Hepatotoxicity is due to free radical activity in liver. Free radicals generated by the metabolism of toxicants initiate the toxicity cascade. Endogenous free radicals in the body such as reduced glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E, catalase and super oxide dismutase, are present in the body. When these free radicals level increases, they will start cell necrosis thus result in hepatotoxicity.

Allopathic medicines have not been able to provide alleviation for these disorders. Methanolic extracts of its leaves have shown anti-ulcer activity while ethanolic extracts of seeds exhibited anti-tumor activity. Leaves have minerals, amino acids, protein, vitamins, β – carotene, amino and various poly phenols. They include compounds such as quercetin, zeatin, kaempferol, rutin, etc., these acts as antioxidants to stop the activity of free radicals. All these compounds in the leaves can regulate functions of various organs. Anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activity of leaves was confirmed using moringa veggie capsules.