Article Sidebar
Published:
Nov 12, 2013Keywords:
Article Details
Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution CC.
This license lets others distribute, remix, tweak, and build upon your work, even commercially, as long as they credit you for the original creation. This is the most accommodating of licenses offered. Recommended for maximum dissemination and use of licensed materials. View License Deed | View Legal Code Authors can also self-archive their manuscripts immediately and enable public access from their institution's repository. This is the version that has been accepted for publication and which typically includes author-incorporated changes suggested during submission, peer review and in editor-author communications.
Main Article Content
Cytoprotective and antioxidant effects of the methanol extract of <i>Eremomastax Speciosa</i> in rats
Abstract
Background: Ethno-botanical information shows that Eremomastax speciosa is used in the traditional management of various stomach complaints including gastro-duodenal ulcers.
Materials and Methods: In this study, we tested the cytoprotective potential of the whole plant methanol extract (100-200 mg/kg, p.o), against HCl/ethanol, absolute ethanol, cold/restraint stress rats, and pylorus legated rats pre-treated with indomethacin. The effects of the extract on gastric lesion inhibition, the volume of gastric juice, gastric pH, gastric acid output, mucus production and gastric peptic activity were recorded. Oxidative stress parameters were measured in blood and gastric tissue samples obtained from the animals in all the models tested.
Results: The extract significantly (p<0.05), reduced the formation of cold/restraint ulcers by (31-60%, inhibition), completely inhibited (100%) the formation of lesions induced by HCl/ethanol at the highest dose, but was less effective against absolute ethanol (22-46% inhibition). The extract (200 mg/kg), significantly reduced lesion formation (P<0.01), gastric acidity (P<0.01), and volume of gastric secretions (P<0.05), in the indomethacin/pylorus ligation model, and did not affect the activity of pepsin in gastric juice. Blood concentrations of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, SOD and GSH), increased significantly and MDA concentrations decreased in all models tested.
Conclusion: Cytoprotection by E. speciosa methanol extract was attributed to its ability to reduce acid secretion, and to enhance mucosal defence and in vivo antioxidant status.
Key words: Eremomastax speciosa, cytoprotection, gastric ulcers, antioxidant status
