| Abstract: | The rhizome of Cyperus rotundus was assessed for its cytoprotective effects against ethanol induced gastric damage. Decoctions of Rhizoma Cyperi were given orally (1.25, 2.5, 4.0 g crude drug/kg) to rats 30 min before ethanol (40% v/v, 10 mL/kg) was administered. The decoction showed an ulcer inhibitory effect in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, the activity was also observed when the decoction was given subcutaneously (0.3–0.6 g/kg), suggesting that the herb possessed systemic effects on protecting the stomach. Compared with controls, gastric motility of the ethanol-treated rats was delayed significantly by either oral (2.5–4.0 g/kg) or subcutaneous (0.3 g/kg) administration of the decoction. Pretreatment of rats with indomethacin (5 mg/kg) significantly reduced the gastric protective action of C. rotundus. Mucus content in the stomach was not affected by administration of the docoction. The findings in this study suggest that the protective action of C. rotundus is related to its inhibition of gastric motility and endogeneous prostaglandins may play an important role. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
