Venkatalakshmi and Senthamaraiselvi, IJPSR, 2012; Vol. 3(8): 2539-2542 ISSN: 0975-8232 Available online on www.ijpsr.com 2539 IJPSR (2012), Vol. 3, Issue 08 (Research Article) Received on 02 April, 2012; received in revised form 15 May, 2012; accepted 19 July, 2012 ANTI ULCER EFFECT OF BASELLA ALBA LEAF EXTRACT IN ASPIRIN INDUCED ALBINO RATS P. Venkatalakshmi* and V. Senthamaraiselvi DepartŵeŶt of BioĐheŵistry, “.T.E.T. WoŵeŶ’s College, MaŶŶargudi - 614 001, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India ABSTRACT The present study was designed to evaluate the anti ulcer effect of Basella alba in aspirin induced ulcerated rats. Aspirin induced ulcer was revealed by increased ulcer index, decreased gastric pH, increase in the levels of pepsin, Thio barbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). Lipid hydroperoxides and decrease in the levels of enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants. Treatment with the plant extract brought back the altered parameters to normal. INTRODUCTION: A peptic ulcer, also known as ulcus pepticum, PUD or peptic ulcer disease, is an ulcer (defined as mucosal erosions equal to or greater than 0.5 cm) of an area of the gastrointestinal tract that is usually acidic and thus extremely painful. As many as 80% of ulcers are associated with Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium lives in the acidic environment of the stomach. Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs. Although the rate of simple gastric ulcer is in decline, the incidence of complicated gastric ulcer and hospitalization has remained stable, partly due to the concomitant use of aspirin in an aging population 1 . Gastric ulcers are also associated with considerable morbidity related to chronic epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and anemia 2 . Rarely, an ulcer can lead to a gastric or duodenal perforation. This is extremely painful and requires immediate surgery 3 . NSAID-induced ulcers account for approximately 26% of gastric ulcers, and they are believed to be secondary to a decrease in prostaglandin production resulting from the inhibition of cyclooxygenase. The topical effects of NSAIDs are superficial gastric erosions. However, the risk of gastroduodenal ulcer is not diminished with parental or rectal use of NSAIDs indicating injury occurring from the systemic effect of NSAIDs on the gastrointestinal mucosa. The greatest risk of developing an ulcer occurs during the first 3 months of NSAID use; thereafter, the risk decreases but continues to be present. Whether, concurrent H. pylori infection and NSAID use are synergistic in producing gastric ulcers remains unclear, recent accumulating evidence indicates that patients with H. pylori infection may be twice as likely to get a bleeding peptic ulcer. Plants with ŵediĐiŶal properties The gift of ŵother Ŷature to ŵaŶkiŶd are iŶ use for ĐeŶturies iŶ the traditional system of medicine like Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha etc., in India & other countries for the treatment of diseases including ulcer. They are considered to be effective and non-toxic. Basella is a popular leafy ǀegetaďle used ďy large populatioŶ. It’s medicinal value although known well not emphasized adequately often due to the fact that it is already consumed as vegetable. Key words: Anti ulcer, Aspirin, Basella alba, Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs Correspondence to Author: P. Venkatalakshmi Assistant Professor, Department of BioĐheŵistry, “.T.E.T. WoŵeŶ’s College, Mannargudi- 614 001, Tiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India E-mail: venkatalakshmisathish@gmail.com