Preliminary Studies on Antiulcer Potential of Nymphaea alba L. In Wistar Rats

Background and aims: Nymphaea alba L. commonly known as European white-water lily, white water rose or white nenuphar, is an aquatic flowering plant of the family Nymphaeaceae. It is found in Tropical Asia (India), Europe and North Africa and exhibits numerous medicinal properties like antidiarrheal, antiulcer, antianxiety and anticancer. The present study was aimed to evaluate the in vivo antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract of flowers of N. alba.

Methods: The antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract of N. alba flowers (ENAF) was evaluated using water immersion stress induced ulcer and indomethacin induced gastric mucosal damage in Wistar rat assays. Parameters such as ulcer index, protection percentage against ulcer were assessed in water immersion stress induced ulcer assay and ulcer index, intensity of hemorrhages and lesions were evaluated in indomethacin induced gastric mucosal damage assay.

Results: Oral administration of ENAF (200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) offered a dose dependent protection of 43.97% and 19.94% respectively in water immersion induced ulcer assays in rats as compared to protection of 64.81% offered by standard drug omeprazole (20 mg/Kg). Similarly, ENAF caused significant reduction in ulcer index in indomethacin induced gastric assay with significant reduction in hemorrhages and number of lesions in gastric mucosa of Wistar rats.

Conclusion: ENAF possess impressive antiulcer properties and thus justifies its usage as antiulcer remedy in traditional system of medicine.