Central Food and Technological Institute (CFTRI) has identified extracts of 'Makali Ber' (swallow root), a widely available root in Karnataka and used in the making of pickles, as having property to block the stomach ulcer-related complications and provide relief.

The team of researchers at the Institute based in Mysore led by Srikanta BM and Siddaraju MN and Dharmesh SM have found that a novel phenol-bound polysaccharide from Decalepis Hamiltonil that 'Makali Ber' belongs to, is capable of multi step ulcer preventive activity.

Polysaccharides like cellulose are complicated carbohydrates made of simple sugars (glucose, fructose) and found in the cell walls of organisms. The research findings is also featured in the Journal of Gastroenterology on Oct 21, 2007 demonstrated the potency of a bioactive polysaccharide from 'Makali Ber.'

The team of researchers found that 'Makali ber' prevented the bacterial growth of Helicobacter pylori, which causes severe acidity leading to ulcers in the stomach in lab conditions This confirmed its ability to inhibit various steps of gastric ulceration directly.

Another feature of 'Makali Ber' is that it is known to be non-toxic. The root has also emerged as an ideal anti ulcerant alternative over the existing allopathic drugs, which have known to cause serious side-effects. Further, 'Makali Ber' is also known to lower the drug burden on patients.

The extract was also found to protect against alcohol stress induced ulcers in experimental animal models. The study also provided details about normalizing damage to stomach tissue by preventing the entry of an ulcero-genic such as Helicobacter pylori.

Makali ber is endemic to peninsular India and is known as 'Magali Kizhangu' in Tamil. The root is also extensively used in ayurvedic medicinal preparations.

Earlier studies have shown that 'Makali Ber has insecticidal activity and is safe and effective in the control of stored grain pests.