Protection by Murraya koenigii leaf extract against ethanolinduced gastric lesions in rats

Abstract

The mature leaves of Murraya koenigii (Spreng.) (Family, Rutaceae, Karapincha in Sinhala and Karuvembu in T a m i l ) are commonly used in Sri L a n k a for flavouring soups, vegetables and meat dishes [1]. Many Ayruvedic physicians in Sri Lanka also prescribe these leaves for constipation, abdominal c o l i c , diarrhoea and hiccough [ i ]. On the other hand, some practitioners o f Sri L a n ka folk medicine make staggering claims that M. koenigii has the ability to impair the development of gastric ulcers. The validity of these claims, hitherto, has not been scientifically proven. The a im o f the present study was to investigate whether the mature leaves o f M. koenigii possess gastroprotective activity as is claimed, and i f present, to evaluate the possible mechanisms of action. T h i s was done with a water extract of M. koenigii leaves given to rats, using alcoho! as the gastric ulcerogen