Evaluation of anti-ulcerogenic and ulcer-healing properties of Ocimum sanctum Linn.

Ocimum sanctum (OS) is known to possess various therapeutic properties. We evaluated its anti-ulcerogenic activity in cold restraint (CRU), aspirin (ASP), alcohol (AL), pyloric ligation (PL) induced gastric ulcer models in Sprague-Dawley rats, histamine-induced duodenal (HST) ulcer in guinea pigs, and ulcer-healing activity, in acetic acid-induced (AC) chronic ulcer model. We found that OS, decreased the incidence of ulcers and also enhanced the healing of ulcers. OS at a dose of 100 mg/kg was found to be effective in CRU (65.07%), ASP (63.49%), AL (53.87%), PL (62.06%), and HST (61.76%) induced ulcer models and significantly reduced free, total acidity and peptic activity by 72.58, 58.63, 57.6%, respectively, and increased mucin secretion by 34.61%. Additionally, OS completely healed the ulcers within 20 days of treatment in AC. We observed that anti-ulcer effect of OS may be due to its cytoprotective effect rather than antisecretory activity. Conclusively, OS was found to possess potent anti-ulcerogenic as well as ulcer-healing properties and could act as a potent therapeutic agent against peptic ulcer disease.