Gastric antisecretory, antiulcer and cytoprotective properties of Ethanolic extract of Alpinia Galanga willd in rats

Abstract

The effect of Alpinia galanga extract has been studied on experimentally induced gastric ulcers in rats. The ethanolic extract of A. galanga at a dose of 500mg/kg, significantly reduced the intensity of gastric mucosal damage induced by pyloric ligation and hypothermic restraint stress in rats. It produced a significant decrease in gastric secretion in pylorus ligated rats and a highly significant cytoprotective effect against 80% ethanol-, 0.6 M HC1-, 0.2 M NaOH- and 25% NaCl-induced cytodestruction. Pretreatment with the extract significantly prevented hypothermic stress-induced gastric wall mucus depletion. These findings suggest that a significant antisecretory and cytoprotective action of A. galanga may be responsible for its antiulcer activity.