Pharmacologyonline 3: 10151020 (2011) Bhoomannavar et. al. 1015 AntiUlcer Activity of eptunia Oleracea Lour V.S. Bhoomannavar 1 , V.P. Patil 2 *, Shivakumar Hugar 2 , Nanjappaiah H.M 2 and Navanath Kalyane 3 . 1 K. L. E. Soceity’s, College of Pharmacy, J.T.College campus, Gadag . 582101, Karnataka, India. 2 P. G. Dept. of Pharmacology, B. L. D. E. A’s College of Pharmacy, B. L. D.E. University campus, Bijapur – 586103, Karnataka, India. 3 P. G. Dept. of pharmaceutical Chemistry, B. L. D. E. A’s College of Pharmacy, B. L. D.E. University campus, Bijapur – 586103, Karnataka, India. * For correspondence E.Mail:. patilk183@gmail.com Summary Ethanol extract of leaves of eptunia olerace Lour (Mimosaceae) were evaluated for antiulcer properties of in pyloric ligated rats. In this method the rats (24 h fasted) were subjected for pyloric ligation for 4 h. Drug is given 1 h before pyloric ligation and gastric juice thus collected is subjected for estimation of free and total acidity, pH, total proteins and pepsin content. The stomach is subjected for scoring ulcers and glandular portion for mucin estimation. The leaves of eptunia olerace has shown anti.ulcer properties in pyloric ligated rats by increased mucin content, free and total acidity and pH, and decreased ulcer index, volume of gastric juice, total proteins and pepsin content. All the results are significant when compared with control groups. Ranitidine is taken as standard drug. Key words: Gastroprotective, Antiulcer, eptunia oleracea, Ethanol extract. Introduction The plant eptunia oleracea Lour, (Mimosaceae) is an annual floating marine plant usually distributed in tanks and lakes all over India and Ceylon 1 . It is reported to possess astringent, antimicrobial and anticancer properties. The roots of the plant are used in late stages of syphilis 2,3 . The preliminary phytochemical study revealed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrayes, tannins and triterpenes in alcoholic extract 4 . The flavonoids are known to possess the anti.ulcer activity 5 . Since there are no particular reports on anti.ulcer activity of the plant, it was considered worthwhile to evaluate the alcoholic extract of the leaves for anti.ulcer activity. Gastric ulcers are caused due to imbalance between offensive and defensive factors of gastric mucosa. The exact etiopathogenesis of peptic ulcer, still not completely understood. Kassal and Munro found a close relationship between stress, emotion, anxiety, depression, secretion, motility of the stomach and gastric ulceration 6 . An absence of any of these factors may help in the healing of ulcers 7 . The modern life style, including consumption of alcohol is considered to be risk factor in the development of gastric duodenal ulcers. Intragastrically administered ethanol rapidly penetrates the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing membrane damage, exfoliation of cells and erosion. The subsequent increase in mucosal permeability together with the vasoactive products from mast cells, macrophages and blood cells may lead to vascular injury, necrosis, generation of free radicals and ulcer formation.