Abstract
Polygonum minus is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine for the treatment of many aliments. The present study was performed to investigate anti-ulcer activity of P. minus aqueous leaf extract (PMALE) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Group 1 rats (ulcer control group) were pre-treated with vehicle (distilled water). Group 2 rats (reference group) were orally pretreated with 20 mg/kg omeprazole. Group 3 and 4 (experimental groups) were orally pre-treated with 250 and 500 mg/kg PMALE, respectively. After one hour later, all groups received absolute ethanol to generate gastric mucosal injury. After an additional hour, all the rats were sacrificed and the gastric juice was collected for determining of pH and mucous weight. The stomachs were examined for gastric ulcer areas. Grossly; the ulcer control group exhibited severe mucosal injury, whereas pre-treatment witheither omeprazole or PMALE exhibited significant protection of gastric mucosal injuryand increase in mucus production. Flattening of gastric mucosal folds was also observed in rats pretreated with PMALE. Histology, gastric wall of ulcer control group revealed severe damage of gastric mucosa, along with edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer compared to rats pre-treated with either omeprazole or PMALE which showed marked gastric protection, reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer. Acute toxicity study with a higher dose of 5 g/kg did not manifest any toxicological signs in rats. In conclusions, the present finding suggests that PMALE promotes ulcer protection as ascertained by the comparative decreases in ulcer areas, reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer. Key words: Polygonum minus aqueous extract, cytoprotection, gastric ulcer, histology.
Highlights
Peptic ulcer disease has become one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that involves the entire mucosal thickness and can ever penetrate the muscular mucosa (Falcao et al, 2008)
Gastric wall of ulcer control group revealed severe damage of gastric mucosa, along with edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer compared to rats pre-treated with either omeprazole or P. minus aqueous leaf extract (PMALE) which showed marked gastric protection, reduction of edema and leucocytes infiltration of the submucosal layer
Results showed that pH and gastric mucous was significantly elevated at dose dependent in rats pretreated with PMALE or omeprazole before being given absolute alcohol compared to rats pre-treated with only sterile distilled water (Figure 1a, b, c and d)
Summary
Peptic ulcer disease has become one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders that involves the entire mucosal thickness and can ever penetrate the muscular mucosa (Falcao et al, 2008). Locally named ‘kesum’ in Malay, is a plant having a kind of sweet and nice aroma. It comes from the family of Polygonaceae (Burkill, 1966). Few farmacological studies have been conducted on P. minus such as anti microbial and cytotoxic activity against the HeLa (human cervical carcinoma) (Mackeen et al.,1997). It is considered a potential source of natural antioxidants due to high content of gallic acid and total phenolic content and reducing power (Huda-Faujan et al, 2007; Azlim et al, 2010). The current study was undertaken to establish the antiulcer activity of P. minus aqueous leaf extract (PMALE) against ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
