Antiulcer Activity of a Traditional Pearl Preparation: Mukta Bhasma.

Mukta bhasma is unique herbo-mineral calcium containing preparation of Ayurvedic system of Indian traditional medicine. It is used traditionally as antipyretic, antiulcer and antacid. It is used in treatment of bone metabolic disorders associated with calcium deficiency. Mukta bhasma was evaluated for its antiulcer activity in experimental animals. The experimental paradigms used for antiulcer activity were cold restraint stress induced ulcer model and Diclofenac induced ulcer model in rats. It was observed that Mukta bhasma produced significant (P<0.001) 57.53% and 59.18% protection in cold restraint stress induced gastric ulcer and 54.19% and 61.39% protection in Diclofenac induced ulcer at 60 mg/Kg and 120 mg/Kg dose levels respectively, when compared with control. TBARS of stomach in ulcer induced rat was also reduced by Mukta bhasma. The results suggest that this ayurvedic preparation possess significant gastro protective and antiulcer activity in lower doses of therapeutic range and its effect is not dose dependent.