Evaluation of Hemidesmus indicus root as an antacid by In vitro

Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as single drug or in combination in health care delivery system. Indian Sarsaparilla, Hemidesmus indicus (Family: Asclepiadaceae) is a commonly known Indian Medicinal Plant, which is widely recognized in traditional systems of Medicine. It contains various phytoconstituents belonging to the category glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and volatile oils. It has been reported as useful in biliousness, blood diseases, dysentery, diarrhea, respiratory disorders, skin diseases, syphilis, fever, leprosy, leucoderma, leucorrhoea, itching, bronchitis, asthma, eye diseases, epileptic fits in children, kidney and urinary disorders, loss of appetite, burning sensation, dyspepsia, nutritional disorders, ulcer and rheumatism. Several studies are being carried towards its activities like analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and helicobactericidal properties. In our study we have evaluated antacid activity of sariva (Anantmool) by using In-Vitro method, i.e. ANC (Acid Neutralizing Capacity). This evaluation was done by comparing the ANC of sariva macerated & powdered drug with water as blank & standard drug i.e. NaHCO3. Based on this In-Vitro experiment, we can conclude that, the macerated & powdered drug of sariva (Anantmool) evaluated in this study, varied in potency as measured in terms of their ANC. These results having ** i.e. P < 0.01 & Passed the normality test. However, the present study being in-vitro, the effects of antacid may vary In-Vitro; individual variations also contribute to the ultimate effectiveness of as antacid.