Abstract
Objective: The purpose of present investigation is to rule out the antacid activity of Abrus precatorius leaves by in vitro method using a self fabricated modified artificial stomach model.The reason of selecting in vitro methods is to minimize the useage of Experimental animals. Abrus precatorius is a medicinal plant prevalent to found all throughout the plains of India, from Himalaya down to Southern India. This plant is used widely in folklore medicine for their antiulcer activity. Material & Methods: The preliminary chemical tests performed for the extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, rutin, glycosides, saponins, Steroides, carbohydrates and Glycyrrhizin as major Phytoconstituents. Then they were evaluated for the antacid potencies by working on the parameters like determination of pH of the prepared extracts, neutralizing effects on artificial gastric acids, duration of consistent neutralization effect on artificial gastric acids and neutralization capacity. Sodium bicarbonate and water were used as reference standard and control respectively. Outcome: The methanolic extract A.precatorius showed potent antacid activity when compared to standards. Hence A. precatorius can be considered as a potent substitute for the synthetic antacids that are well reputed for unwanted side effects like edeoma in the feet,alteration in systemic PH, bleaching etc. Further investigations on in vivo preclinical and clinical studies are yet to be performed.
