In a preliminary screening of the plant extracts for the antigastritic action in rats, the extract of Aralia elata(Araliaceae) showed positive activity in HCI plus ethanol induced gastric lesion. Systematic fractions with hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol resulted in the most patent activity with the butanol fraction: This butanol fraction at the oral dose of 200 mg/kg exhibited significant inhibition of absolute alcohol induced gastric lesion which was more potent than 100 mg/kg of cimetidine and had significant stimulation of mucus secretion. The butanol fraction showed significant decreases in the ulcer indices of Shay ulcers and inhibition of gastric juice secretion with acid output in pylorus-ligated stomachs of rats. It also suppressed the acetic acid induced gastric ulcer. These results might suggest that the butanol fraction had inhibitory action in gastric lesion and ulceration through inhibition of gastric acid secretion and stimulation of mucin secretion in the stomachs of rats.