AbstractThe objective of the present study was to evaluate the gastric cytoprotective activity of the methanol extract of aerial parts of the plant Barleria lupulina Lindl (Acanthaceae) in albino rats using various models of ulcers such as drug induced ulcers, restraint ulcers, duodenal ulcers and pylorus ligated ulcers. The effect of the extract on gastric secretion and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reacting substances TBARS) was also studied in rats. The extract at the tested dose of 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the volume of gastric juice, total acidity and the ulcer index in pylorus ligated rats. It also afforded significant protection against alcohol and indomethacin induced ulcer as well as stress induced ulceration. TBARS in the stomach of indomethacin treated rats was also reduced. In addition, it gave protection against duodenal ulcers. The study suggests that the methanol extract of aerial parts of Barleria lupulina Lindl. has a protective effect against experimental gastric and duodenal ulcers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.