Gastro protective and H(+), K(+)-ATPase/H. pylori inhibitory properties of pectic polysaccharides from potato.

Polysaccharide is one among the important classes of biological polymers that is reported to exhibit disease preventive properties. The present study describes the isolation of galactans and confirmation of the same by sugar analysis and determination of anti-ulcer effect of Potato Galactan Polysaccharide (PGP). Data indicated that PGP possessed sugar composition of rhamnose (2%), arabinose (3%), mannose (3%), galactose (94%) and uronic acid (17%) confirming that PGP thus isolated is a galactan. PGP exhibited potent H(+), K(+)-ATPase inhibitory activity (IC50 420 μg/mL) in vitro as opposed to lansoprazole, a known antiulcer drug with IC50 19.3 μg/mL. The antiulcer potency of PGP was evaluated in ethanol stress induced gastric ulcer model in vivo. About 84% reduction in ulcer index; enhanced mucosal recovery, normalization of H(+), K(+)-ATPase, antioxidant and antioxidant enzymes substantiated the antiulcer potentials of PGP. Mucosal recovery could be attributed to cytoprotective and DNA protective ability of PGP that can help in mucosal layer regeneration. Further, PGP was also effective in inhibiting Helicobacter pylori as per growth inhibition assay followed by scanning electron microscopic studies suggesting that PGP is effective in curbing the growth of H. pylori, which is responsible for ∼70% of gastric ulcer/cancer incidences.