Pharmacology

Biography

Biography: P Brindha

Abstract

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) develops when the defensive mechanisms of the gastrointestinal mucosa are devastated by the aggressive effects of gastric acid and pepsin. The transformation to plant derived drugs from synthetic modern drugs is mainly due to their side effects. Hence, in the present study attempts were made to develop an eco-friendly herbal drug taking leads from traditional herbal medicine practitioners. Based on the literature survey and interviews with local traditional healers, Caesalpinia sappan L., Cyclea peltata (Lam.) and Gmelina arborea Roxb. were selected and evaluated for their antiulcer potential.  Hydro-alcoholic extracts of the selected plants were used for the present study. C. peltata showed significant proton pump inhibitory activity. It was observed that C. sappan had better antioxidant activity in DPPH assay. In vitro acid neutralizing capacity was not observed for the three plants, which indicated that the plants cannot act as antacids. Acute oral toxicity studies on C. sappan, C. peltata and G. arborea extract showed no mortality in rats at doses up to 2 g/kg. In ethanol induced ulcer model, screening of cytoptotective activity revealed that C. sappan at the dose level of 500 mg/kg showed 92% ulcer protective index, whereas G. arborea and C. peltata showed 58% and 47% ulcer protective index respectively when compared with standard sucralfate (53%). In Pylorus ligation induced model, the maximum ulcer protection was observed in C. peltata and the probable antiulcer mechanism must be mediation through gastric secretion inhibition. Cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer model showed no activity. In NSAID induced gastric ulcer model, C. sappan (86%) showed maximum ulcer protection followed by C. peltata (75%) and G. arborea (66%) when compared with standard (74%). The bioactive extracts were subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis to detect the major phytoconstituents. Findings from in silico molecular docking studies further provided supporting evidences for their mechanisms of actions. It is concluded from the present study that C.sappan showed potent antiulcer effect mediated by increasing PGE₂ level and promoting antioxidant status, thereby acting as a cytoprotective agent. C.peltata revealed significant antiulcer activity mediated through gastric juice inhibition and acting as an anti-secretory agent against gastric juice. G.arborea promoted ulcer healing through mucus secretions and protected the gastric mucosal damage against gastric acid secretions. A suitable combination of these three extracts can be used to formulate an antiulcer drug that could be useful in the management of any type of ulcers.