Antioxidant and antiulcer activity of Ziziphus rugosa Lam. bark

Abstract

Ziziphus rugosa Lam. belongs to the family Rhamnaceae, commonly it is called as Suran in Hindi, Chunu koli in Urdu and Badara in Sanskrit and in Kannada is called as Belamarluhannu. The bark is rich in phytoconstituents like alkaloids, carbohydrates, saponins, terpenoids, phytosterols, flavanoids and tannins. Ethonolic extract of Ziziphus rugosa Lam. stem bark was evaluated for DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and antiulcer activity using two models, ethanol induced gastric ulcer model and indomethacin induced gastric ulcer model in rats, treated with doses of 100mg/kg of body weight and 200mg/kg of body weight. Evaluation was done on both models comparing with reference standard ranitidine (50mg/Kg/ p. o.). The extract has shown radical scavenging effect of maximum 55.84% and 81.69% in DPPH and ABTS assays respectively. The present study provides a strong evidence of antiulcer activity of ethanolic extract against gastric lesions. The antiulcer activity is recognized by a reduction in acid secretory parameters (i.e. total and free acid), gastric volume, gastric ulcer index and percentage protection.