Study of Antiulcer Activity of Aerial Parts of Tephrosia spinosa (L.f) Pers

K Ilango¹ and R Xavier Arulappa²*

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, SRM College of Pharmacy, SRM University, Kattankulathur– 603 203, Kancheepuram District, (T.N) ^2*Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, K.M .College of Pharmacy, Uthangudi, Madurai – 625 107 (T.N)

*Corresponding Author E-mail: xavilatha@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT:

The effect of methanolic extract of aerial parts of Tephrosia spinosa was investigated in rats to evaluate antiulcer activity by using Indomethacin induced plus pyloric ligation ulcer model. The parameters taken for antiulcer activity were the total gastric volume secretion, ulcer score, total acidity, pH and the ulcer index. The methanolic extract of aerial parts of Tephrosia spinosa showed significantly (P < 0.001) decreased when compared with the control treated group total gastric volume (6.12 ± 0.09) ml, ulcer score (3.17 ± 0.123) total acidity (70.32 ± 2.91) m eq /L/100g.

KEYWORDS: Tephrosia spinosa, Papilionaceae, Methanolic extract, Antiulcer activity.

INTRODUCTION:

Tephrosia spinosa (L.F) Pers belongs to the family papilionaceae¹and it is a stiffy thorny shrub, known as mullukolinji commonly found in south India on dry barren lands on the coast and inland to the Hills of Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruneleveli Districts². The phytochemical studies revealed the presence of flavanoids ^3-4. It is used in traditional system of medicine for antirheumatic, antipyretic, indigestion antidiarroheal, antinflammatory, stomachic, febrifuge, anthelmintic and to control excessive thirst ⁵ . No systematic studies on antiulcer activity have been reported on Tephrosia spinosa. Hence an effort has been made to establish the anti ulcer activity.

EXPERIMENTAL:

Materials and Methods:

The aerial parts of Tephrosia spinosa were collected from Kanyakumari district and authenticated by Dr. D. Stephen, Taxonomist, American College, Madurai. The air dried aerial parts of plant material was ground into coarse powder in a mill. The crude dried powder was subjected to cold maceration process with methanol for two days and concentrated to small bulk under reduced pressure at 50^OC and finally dried in a desiccators. The methanolic extract was suspended in 1% sodium carboxy methyl cellulose and used for studying antiulcer activity.

Indomethacin induced plus pyloric ligation ulcer model: ^6-9

Healthy albino Wistar rats of either sex weighing 180- 250gm were used. The rats were placed in cages and they were fed by the normal diet and all chemicals and solvent used were of the analytical grade. The albino rats were divided into four groups with each six individuals. The study was carried out for 4 days. The group served as control (received 1% sodium carboxy methyl cellulose),second group served as standard (received Omeprazole 8mg/kg),¹⁰ third group received methanolic extract of Tephrosia spinosa (200 mg /kg), while the fourth group received methanolic extract of Tephrosia spinosa (400mg / kg).

After the administration of the prescribed dose, the rats were treated with Indomethacin (10 mg/kg)¹⁰ after half an hour. This process was carried out for three days. On the third day after administration of the drug, the rats were subjected to fasting. On the fourth day, pyloric ligation was made. The rats were sacrificed 4 hours later and their stomach was opened to collect to gastric content. The total volume of gastric secretion, total acidity was estimated by titration method and ulcer index was scored and pH was checked by pH meter.

The gastric lesions were counted and mean ulcerative index was calculated. The sum of the length (mm) of all lesions for each stomach was used as the ulcer index (U.I) and the inhibition percentage was calculated from the following formula.

Protection of ulcer (%) =

Control mean ulcer index – Test mean ulcer index X 100

Control mean ulcer index

EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF TEPHROSIA SPINOSA ON INDOMETHACIN INDUCED PLUS PYLORUS LIGATION GASTRIC ULCER IN RATS (Table No. 1)

Group	Treatment	Dose	Volume of Gastric secretion	Total acidity (meq /L/100gm)	pH	Ulcer index	% Ulcer Protection
I	Control (SCMC) 1%	2ml/kg	6.12 ± 0.09	70.32 ± 2.91	2.11 ± 0.039	3.17 ± 0.123	-
II	Standard Omeprazole (8mg/Kg)	8 mg / Kg	3.21 ± 0.05**	19.52 ±0.392**	3.51 ±0.056**	0.95 ±0.043**	70.03
III	Test drug I. (Methanolic extract T.S.)	200mg / kg	3.26 ± 0.05**	31.2 ± 0.511**	2.54 ±0.068**	1.62 ±0.048**	48.89
IV	Test drug II. (Methanolic extract T.S)	400 mg / kg	3.31 ± 0.08 **	25.04 ± 0.406 **	3.12 ±0.029**	1.28 ±0.048**	59.62

n = 6 animals in each group; values are mean ± SEM, ** p<0.001 when compared with Control

RESULTS AND DICUSSION:

The effect of methanolic extract of Tephrosia spinosa on Indomethacin induced plus pylorus ligation ulcer model was observed [Table no.1] and this study indicates that the methanolic extract of Tephrosia spinosa significantly (p<0.001) reduced total gastric volume secretion, ulcer score, total acidity and has potent activity against gastric ulcers in rats.

The rats in the control group had large ulcer perforation and hemorrhagic streak whereas the rats administered with methanolic extract of Tephrosia spinosa produce significant reduction in ulcer index with only spots.

From this study, it can concluded that the methanolic extract of Tephrosia spinosa has the protection against experimental gastric ulcer models. The anti secretory effect of methanolic extract could probably contribute antiulcer activity. The study results confirms the antiulcer effect of aerial part of Tephrosia spinosa.

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