A study of antioxidant and antiulcer activity of <i>Zizyphus xylopyrus</i>

Abstract

Aim: Zizyphus xylopyrus (Retz.) Willd. (Rhamnaceae) is used in folk medicine for treating ulcer, as an antinociceptive, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The major aim of this study was to evaluate the antiulcer and antioxidant activity of Z. xylopyrus. Method: Antiulcer activity of Z. xylopyrus leaf extracts and fractions (50 mg/kg, b.w., orally) were evaluated employing HCl/EtOH induced gastric ulcer and stressinduced acute gastric lesion ulcer models in rats. Whereas, the antioxidant activity of Z. xylopyrus leaf extracts and fractions have been assayed using in vitro methods like 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazylhydrate (DPPH) assay, nitroblue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) assay, reductive ability and superoxide anion scavenging activity. Results: The percent inhibition of aqueous precipitate fraction of ethyl acetate extract was found to be 93% and 92% compared to the standard drug ranitidine in treated group of animals. Similarly, the aqueous precipitate fraction showed a significant (P<0.01) dose-dependent decrease in the index of ulcerative lesion produced in both models in rats when compared to the standard drug ranitidine (20 mg/kg, b.w. orally). Ethanolic extract and the ethyl acetate fraction of Z. xylopyrus also showed prominent antioxidant activity. Conclusion: Results obtained from the present work, it can be inferred that ethanolic extracts and the aqueous precipitate of Z. xylopyrus must have secondary metabolites contributing to the stated activities. Further an exhaustive phytochemical work is needed in order to isolated, characterize and perform bioassays for the compound providing anti-oxidant and anti-ulcer activity.