Page 113 - ITPS-7-1

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

claimed to be an offensive factor triggering ulceration. observed with the dichloromethane fraction might be due
Moreover, parameters such as the number of ulcerative to the absence of bioactive constituents responsible for anti-
lesions, ulcer severity scores, ulcer index, volume, and ulcer activity. A previous study has in fact shown that the
acidity of gastric juice were markedly increased . The oral Markhamia tomentosa leave extract in dichloromethane
[3]
[9]
administration of aqueous ethanol extract of R. spiciforme fraction has non-significant anti-ulcer activity .
at higher doses reduced the number of lesions, ulcer index, The anti-ulcer effect of flavonoids, which are
and severity score, which were otherwise aggravated by cytoprotective constituents, has been confirmed in previous
ethanol. Our results were congruent with other published studies . The flavonoids provide defense to the gastric
[7]
work, in which Ranunculus millefoliatus ethanol extract mucosa against damage by enhancing the prostaglandins
at 250 mg/kg dose was demonstrated to exhibit anti-ulcer level in the mucosal lining of the stomach . The increased
[26]
[22]
activity . In the clinical setting, omeprazole is used as a prostaglandin level in the mucosa of stomach and reduced
standard anti-ulcerative medication. As a proton pump histamine secretion from mast cells achieved through the
inhibitor, omeprazole prevents ulceration by inhibiting blocking of histidine decarboxylase and the inhibition of
the H-K-ATPase in the stomach wall irreversibly, thereby H. pylori growth are the mechanisms behind the gastro-
blocking gastric acid release. This study revealed that protective effect of flavonoids. In addition, flavonoids act
the anti-ulcerative efficacy of R. spiciforme extract was as scavengers of free radicals, which play an important role
comparable to that of omeprazole, suggesting that the in the formation of gastrointestinal tract lesions. Hence,
mechanism underlying the R. spiciforme-mediated anti- coupled with a less toxic profile and properties, flavonoids
ulceration might be similar to that of proton pump have high medicinal value in the treatment of ulcers.
inhibitor. Apart from that, flavonoids are therapeutically useful in
As compared to control group, the extracts at 250 and the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, especially those
[27]
500 mg/kg doses markedly increased the pH and intuitively associated with H. pylori infection . Thus, we postulate
reduced the acidity (both free and total) of gastric juice. that the presence of flavonoids is accountable for the
Likewise, the volume of gastric juice was also significantly anti-ulcer potential of the crude extract of R. spiciforme.
decreased in groups of animals treated with the plant Furthermore, the LC-MS analysis of the butanol fraction,
extract as compared to the control group (Figure 1). The which is the most active fraction, of the crude extract
effects produced by R. spiciforme mirrors the anti-secretory revealed that the anthraquinones, flavonoids, alkaloids,
activity of Aloe vera demonstrated by Borra et al. . and carbohydrates are the active constituents of the
[23]
fraction. We also found that quercetin is the predominant
In the present study, crude extract of R. spiciforme was type of flavonoid in the fraction. Quercetin activates the
further utilized for the preparation of different fractions cyclooxygenase, which activates the production of local
(butanol, aqueous, and dichloromethane), which were prostaglandin . Earlier studies have demonstrated that
[28]
investigated for their anti-ulcer activity in ethanol-induced emodin and aloe emodin possess anti-ulcer properties, and
ulcer model. Compared with the control group, the butanol the flavonoids, particularly quercetin, possess antioxidant,
fraction stands out to be the only specially prepared anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer activities . Hence,
[21]
fraction capable of producing significant gastro-protective these active constituents present in the aqueous ethanol
effects, evident by the significant reductions in the severity extract of R. spiciforme and its butanol fraction might play
score and ulcer index (P < 0.001) (Table 2). These findings vital roles in suppressing the formation of ulcer.
indicated that the butanol fraction was as effective as the
reference drug, omeprazole (20 mg/kg), in the treatment of 5. Conclusions
ulcer. The results of the present study, such as the increase Taken together, the aqueous ethanol extract of R. spiciforme
in the pH as well as the decrease in the volume, free acidity, possesses gastro-protective activity, on the basis of its
and total acidity of gastric juice, were consistent with the capacity in suppressing ulcer formation in animal models
[24]
findings by Lee et al. and Ahmed et al. [25] and lowering gastric acid secretion. Furthermore, owing to
The ethanol-induced ulcer model treated with aqueous the presence of emodin and aloe emodin, butanol fraction
fraction also exhibited fewer lesions and reduced severity of the extract is more effective than other fractions in
score and ulcer index; however, these results were not improving the ulcer-related parameters.
statistically significant probably due to the presence of less
bioactive constituents responsible for the anti-ulcer effect. Acknowledgments
This justification is inspired by the presence of less bioactive The authors would like to acknowledge the National
constituents present in the aqueous fraction of root bark Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
of Aralia elata . Similarly, the non-significant results (NIBGE) for providing facility used for LC-MS analysis.
[24]

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