In Indian folk medicine, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench seed mucilage is used for the treatment of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Among the mechanisms which protect the gastric mucosa against acute attack by necrotic agents of different types, mucus production plays crucial role. Mucilage of A. esculentus at dose of 1g/kg significantly inhibits the ulcer induced by indomethacin, ethanol and water immersion restraint stress but do not affect gastric volume, acidity and gastric pH. Pretreatment with the test significantly increased the amount of gastric mucus content in ethanol-ulcerated rats. In conclusion, cytoprotection may be because of formation of a protective layer with increase in mucous secretion form the superficial epithelial cells.
