Antiulcerogenic activity of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of Pithecellobium dulce in different experimental ulcer models in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The ethnopharmacological importance of Pithecellobium dulce is evidenced by its traditional use for gastric complications. The aim of the study is to evaluate the gastroprotective activity and the mechanism of action of hydroalcoholic fruit extract of P. dulce (HAEPD) in rats by using chemical and stress induced ulcer models.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric ulcer was induced by administering alcohol (or) acetylsalicylic acid (or) hypothermic restraint stress to rats pretreated with HAEPD (200 mg/kgbwt for 30 day). Volume of gastric fluid, pH, acidity, activities of pepsin, H(+), K(+)-ATPase, myeloperoxidase, mucin content, nucleic acids, glycoproteins and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels were assessed in gastric tissues.

RESULTS: Ulcer score was significantly minimized in HAEPD administered animals. pH and acidity of gastric fluid were significantly minimized and the mucin, PGE(2) levels were significantly maintained in drug pre administered animals. The activities of H(+), K(+)- ATPase and myeloperoxidase were found to be significantly elevated in ulcer control animals and found to be decreased in drug pretreated animals. The cell proliferation was found to be enhanced in drug received animals. The total protein bound carbohydrate to total protein ratio was found to be significantly maintained by HAEPD. The effects were found to be comparable with that of standard drug omeprazole.

CONCLUSION: It is concluded that HAEPD possess a potent antiulcer activity probably by acting as cytoprotective and antiacid secretory agent.