Preliminary screening of anti-ulcerati ve colitis activity of aqueous leaf extract of Spondias mombin Linn. (Anacardiaceae) and the possible mechanisms of action in rats

Abstract

Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) commonly known as ‘yellow mombin’ is a multipurpose herb cultivated in parts of the Brazilian Northeast for its edible fruits, oil and leaves. The bark is used to carve figures and leaves and roots used as medicine. Efforts in this study were devoted to evaluating the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Spondias mombin Linn. on SMB sub-acute dosing in a rat model of acetic acidinduced ulcerative colitis and acetic-acid induced ulcerative colitis (curative) models. Three graded doses of the extract were administered orally (50, 100 and 200mg/kg) for the prophylactic model and 200mg/kg for the curative model. The involvement of endogenous nitric oxide, prostaglandins and potassium ion in the cytoprotective action of S. mombin L. was also investigated. The extract showed a significant (p<0.05) colonic cytoprotective effect in acetic-acid induced ulcerative colitis (prophylactic) and acetic-acid induced ulcerative colitis (curative) models when compared to control. Antioxidant analysis showed the ability of S. mombin L. to attenuate oxidative stress by decreasing the lipid peroxide level and to inhibit accumulation of free radicals’ generation during LPO (lipid peroxidation) process. S. mombin L. showed presence of flavonoids, tannins, reducing sugar, cardiac glycosides and steroids/terpenes. S. mombin L. exhibited cytoprotective effects in all acetic-acid induced ulcer models via the mechanism of reducing the aggressive activity of the immune system on the colonic mucosa thereby protecting the colonic mucosa.