Page 108 - ITPS-7-1

INNOSC Theranostics and
Pharmacological Sciences Anti-ulcer activity of Rheum spiciforme

layer, growth factors, bicarbonate, mucosal blood flow, and in accordance with the standard ethical guidelines set forth
prostaglandins constitute the line of defense against the by the National Research Council .
[10]
ulceration .
[3]
2.3. Collection and authentication of medicinal plant
Peptic ulcer commonly develops along the gastrointestinal
tract, especially the stomach and duodenum, where The identification of R. spiciforme based on the
[11]
gastric acid and pepsin are secreted. Commonly observed ethnobotanical literature . The roots of R. spiciforme were
symptoms of peptic ulcer include bloating, burning, acquired from a local market during the full bloom season
pressure or feeling of fullness, occasional bloody or of the plant, i.e., in July. The identification and authentication
dark stools, pain in the chest, fatigue, vomiting, changes of the plant was performed by assistant professor Dr. Shair
in appetite, indigestion, and weight loss . Numerous Wali Khan from Karakoram International University, Gilgit-
[1]
drugs, including proton pump inhibitors and H2 receptor Baltistan. After cleaning, the dried roots of R. spiciforme
antagonists, are included in the treatment regimen of peptic were powdered using an electric blender.
ulcer . Nevertheless, these drugs lead to the occurrence of 2.4. Preparation of crude extract and its fractions
[4]
adverse effects and relapses and interact with other drugs.
As an effort to reduce adverse effects stemming from these Aqueous ethanol extract of R. spiciforme was prepared
drugs and prevent relapses, the relentless search for potent through maceration. For the extraction purpose, the
herbal medication is still relevant and crucial . dry powder was immersed in aqueous ethanol (30:70;
[5]
analytical grade, Merck , Germany) for 48 h with regular
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Rheum spiciforme, mostly found in the Himalayan shaking . The mixture obtained was filtered after 3 days
[12]
region of Kashmir, belongs to family Polygonaceae , using a muslin cloth and grade 1 Whatman filter paper.
[6]
which comprises 60 species, among which seven species The filtrate was then passed through a rotary evaporator
are found in the Indian subcontinent and the Himalayan and afterward, it was dried at room temperature.
region of Kashmir. It is a wild plant capable of surviving
in harsh environments . The petioles, stems, and leaves Activity-guided fractionation of R. spiciforme was
[7]
of R. spiciforme are traditionally included in the meals of performed using three different organic solvents in
a few Tibetan communities , while the roots are applied increasing polarity so that the relative active fraction could
[8]
[13]
in the treatments of bone fractures, backache, joint pain, be obtained . Next, 100 g of the active fraction was mixed
joint swelling, rheumatic pain, stomachache, intestinal in 250 mL of distilled water to produce aqueous (48%)
[7]
infections, and dysentery . In light of the potential fraction. Separately, two solvents – dichloromethane and
medicinal values mentioned above, the current study butanol – were added in increasing polarity, eventually
aimed to investigate the anti-ulcer activity of R. spiciforme. generating concentrated dichloromethane (20%) and
butanol (25%) fractions, respectively. After drying, these
2. Materials and methods fractions were then applied in the anti-ulcer activity
evaluation.
2.1. Chemicals and drugs
The list of chemicals and drugs used in his study is as 2.5. Evaluation of gastro-protective effect of crude
follows: diethyl ether (Riedel-de Haen), sodium hydroxide extract on rats with ethanol-induced ulcer
(Merck , Germany), 10% formalin, Topfer Reagent, paraffin Rats were divided into five groups and each group
®
wax, phenolphthalein, hemotoxylin, eosin, 0.1 N sodium consisted of six animals (n = 6). Group I was the control
hydroxide, analytical-grade absolute ethanol (Merck , group that received a vehicle once per day for 7 days and
®
Germany), n-butanol, dichloromethane (Riedel-de Haen), then was induced for ulcer development on day 7. Group II
normal saline, distilled water, hydrochloric acid, Mayer’s was the reference group given 20 mg/kg omeprazole (p.o).
reagent, Wagner’s reagent, sodium chloride, ethanol, and Groups III, IV, and V were given aqueous ethanol extract
omeprazole (Sigma, Germany). of R. spiciforme at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg body
weight once per day for 7 days, respectively . Gastric ulcer
[14]
2.2. Animals was induced by administering ethanol (5 mL/kg) to rats
Healthy adult albino rats (6–8 weeks old) of either sex were after 1-h pre-treatment with crude extract and omeprazole
[15]
obtained from the Animal House, College of Pharmacy, on day 7 .
University of Sargodha, Sargodha. The rats weighed
between 150 and 180 g. Standard rat pellet diet and tap 2.6. Evaluation of gastro-protective effect of plant
water were given to the animals, which were kept on a extract fractions on rats with ethanol-induced ulcer
standard light-dark cycle (12 h with light on and 12 h in In this experiment, the animals were divided randomly
the dark) at room temperature . All animals were treated into five groups, with each group containing six rats (n = 6).
[9]

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2024) 2 https://doi.org/10.36922/itps.1343