RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential antiulcer activity of methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves (MEMM) using various established rat models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten groups of rats were used and orally administered 10% DMSO (negative control), 100 mg/kg ranitidine (positive control) or MEMM (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) followed by gastric ulcer induction either using ethanol or indomethacin. The stomachs were collected and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic analyses. RESULTS: MEMM exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antiulcer activity in the ethanol, but not in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model. The percentage of antiulcer activity for 50-500 mg/kg MEMM ranged between 3 and 75%, respectively. The gross observations were supported by histological findings. MEMM also aggravated the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, leading to an increase in ulcer area formation and ulcer score. CONCLUSION: The M. malabathricum leaves showed antiulcer activity, which could be attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This requires further in-depth studies.