Page 111 - ITPS-7-1

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

A B

C D

Figure 1. Effect of Rheum spiciforme crude root extract on gastric juice parameters: (A) pH, (B) volume of gastric juice, (C) free acidity, and (D) total acidity
in rats with ethanol-induced ulcer. Values are expressed as means ± standard error of mean (n = 6); *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, ns: Non-significant
versus control group, analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (with Dunnett’s test).
Abbreviations: UC: Ulcer control; RS-CE: R. spiciforme crude extract.

Table 2. Effect of plant root extract fractions on gastric mucosal damage in rats with ethanol-induced ulcer
Treatments (mg/kg) Number of lesions Ulcer severity score Ulcer index Percentage inhibition of ulcer (%)
Control 7.167±0.3073 31.50±3.566 13.87±0.3836 NA
Omeprazole 2.167±0.6009* 7.750±2.620** 9.322±0.3132*** 32.79
RS-BF 1.667±0.4216* 5.667±1.498*** 9.063±0.1856*** 34.66
RS-AF 5.500±2.460 ns 25.33±7.491 ns 11.41±0.9492* 17.74
RS-DCMF 6.500±0.9574 ns 22.67±7.311 ns 12.88±0.7148 ns 7.14
Notes: Values are expressed as means±standard error of mean (n=6); *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, ns: Non-significant versus control group analyzed
by one-way analysis of variance (with Dunnett’s test). Abbreviations: RS-BF: Rheum spiciforme butanol fraction, RS-AF: R. spiciforme aqueous fraction,
RS-DCMF: R. spiciforme dichloromethane fraction.

of inflamed dead tissue. The prevalence of peptic ulcer is score, percentage inhibition of ulcer, ulcer index, volume,
disproportionately higher in developing countries where it pH, free, and total acidity of gastric juice, were approximated
is estimated that about 70% of their population suffers from to characterize the gastro-protective effects of R. spiciforme.
peptic or gastric ulcers; in contrast, the highest prevalence The pH of gastric juice normally ranges between 2.9 and 3.3
rate ever recorded from the developed countries is 40% . but could be reduced to 2.3 following ethanol intake, which
[3]
The present study evaluated the anti-ulcer potential triggers ulceration due to a significant decrease in pH. Due
of R. spiciforme root extract and its fractions in rats with to the enhanced production of histamine, the release of
ethanol-induced ulcer. Several parameters concerning gastric juice increases, thereby causing an increase in the
ulcer, such as number of ulcerative lesions, ulcer severity hydrogen ions concentration (more acidic pH), which is

Volume 7 Issue 1 (2024) 5 https://doi.org/10.36922/itps.1343