Abstract: Benincasa hispida (B. hispida) is a widely consumed vegetable in China. Different B. hispida extracts for anti- ulcerogenic activity were studied in aspirin plus restraint in mice experiment. B. hispida was dehydrated for extracted with methanol and evaporated into extract in vacuum. The n-butanol and water-soluble fractions were freeze-dried as crude sample for animal experiment. The oral feeding of different doses of the extract significantly (p<0.01) reduced the ulcer caused by aspirin. The observing pathological section showed that those extracts could protect the gastric mucosa epithelium and take precautions against ulcer. Thus, being a commonly consumed non-toxic plant, it was advantageous over the presently available anti-ulcer agents. Extracts of B. hispida might be used as functional food additives in the future.

Key words: Benincasa hispida, gastric ulcer, experimental ulcer, aspirin