Gastro-Protective Potential of Trichosanthes Dioica in Experimental Animals

Ulcer is tissue erosion, either on skin or inside the body, for e.g. lining of gastrointestinal tract. The diverse causes for ulcer development range from, Genetic factors to Physiological/ Environmental factors. Helicobacter pylori recently found to be responsible for majority of peptic ulcer cases. Peptic ulcer diseases are extremely common in developing and developed countries with annual incidence of 1 to 3 per 1000th of the population. PUD is an important cause of morbidity and health care costs; estimates of expenditures related to work loss, hospitalization, and outpatient care are $5.65 billion per year in US. It affects 1 in 10 men & 1 in 15 women in Europe. Due to side effects from conventional drug therapy and non-specificity of therapeutic choices, there is inclination towards Traditional medicines with low cost and low adverse effect incidences. Many photochemical substances have been found to be effective against pathogenic factors responsible for ulcer formation and its severity. Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, & Tannins have been researched to possess potent Gastroprotective activities. Glycosidal components have been found effective against Helicobacter pylori gram negative strains. Trichosanthes dioica (Roxb.) found in flora and fauna of Uttar Pradesh have high concentrations of terpenoids, flavonoids, cucurbitacins, which have been researched for having anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities. The present study clearly shows the effectiveness of Trichosanthes dioica (Roxb.) in having Gastroprotective activity. This gives clear indication that Trichosanthes dioica shall be researched upon to bring effective drug in market against ulcer diseases.