Background and Objective: The polyherbal formulation (PHF) consisted of Piper betel leaves and Acacia catechu. The leaves of Piper betel has major active constituents as Hydroxychavicol and eugenol which are readily extracted by water. The bark of Acacia catechu mainly contains catechin, and epicatechin. The extract of Piper betel have been tested for Antiplatelet activity against various pro aggregating substances, like PAF, TXB2, PGD2, and ADP, collagen and arachidonic acid. Anti-cancer activity was evaluated by MTT (tetrazolium) assay using human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Anti-arthritic activity of Hydroxychavicol was evaluated at graded doses which significantly decreased the expression of IL-1, PGE2, LTB4, and nitric oxide levels. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Hydroxychavicol was assessed using hyaluronidase (HYA), xanthine oxidase (XOD) and lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assays. The extracts of Piper betel and Acacia catechu also exhibited significant inhibition in XOD and LOX assays. Antimutagenic activity was exhibited by dose dependent suppression of dimethylbenzanthracene induced mutagenesis in S. typhimurium strain TA98 with metabolic activation and also showed that Hydroxychavicol was more potent than eugenol in this respect. The anticoagulant activity of the compound was assayed by the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and these assays were compared with the anticoagulant heparin which showed that it acted on the intrinsic as well as extrinsic pathways of the blood coagulation systems. It could be a potential therapeutic agent for prevention and treatment of Atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Literature search reveals the traditional use of Piper betel leaves as an aromatic, stimulant, carminative, astringent and antiseptic (Kirtikar and Basu, 1987 and Panda, 2004). The Acacia catechu has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and spasmolytic (Dahanukar et al, 2000). To confirm the traditional claim of antiulcer activity of Piper betel leaves and Acacia catechu scientifically, the study was undertaken to investigate the antiulcer and antisecretory activity of Poly Herbal Formulation (PHF) consisting of Piper betel leaves and Acacia catechu in experimentally induced gastric ulcer models in rats. The study supported that PHF has anti-ulcerogenic activity as it decreased ulcer index, volume of gastric acid secretion, total acidity, total acid output, pepsin output, TC/PR ratio, protein content and MDA content while increasing total carbohydrates as compared to disease control group. Thus, the antisecretory and cytoprotective activity of PHF are confirmed and further studies are warranted to investigate the efficacy of the same. Methods: Wistar albino rats of either sex were treated with PHF in dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg for 7 days p.o. once a day in Aspirin + pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer model and 200mg/kg in ethanol induced gastric ulcer model in rats. The physical parameters, acid secretory parameters, dissolved mucosubstances and MDA content were analyzed. Results and Discussion: When compared to disease control group, PHF treated group showed significant decrease in ulcer index (p<0.001), Volume of gastric acid secretion (p<0.01), Total Acidity (p<0.01), Total Acid Output (p<0.01), Pepsin output (p<0.01) and Protein content (p<0.01) while significant increase in Total carbohydrates (p<0.01) and total carbohydrate: Protein (TC:PR) ratio (p<0.01) in Aspirin + Pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer model. Significant decrease in ulcer index (p<0.01) and MDA content (p<0.001) was seen in ethanol induced gastric ulcer model in rats. onclusion: The present study demonstrated that PHF possess significant antiulcer activity against experimentally induced gastric ulcer in rats which might be attributed to its antioxidant activity of major phytochemical constituent Hydroxychavicol and catechin. 

Keywords: Hydroxychavicol; Catechin; Acacia Catechu; Piper Betel Leaves; Anti Ulceractivity.