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Anti-Ulcer Effects of Ipomoea aquatica forsk Leaves Against Gastric Ulcers in

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Research J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2010; 2(6): 103-108
ISSN 0975- 2331
Research Journal of Pharmacognosy
and Phytochemistry. 2(6): Nov. -
Dec. 2010, 103-108
Research Article
*Corresponding Author:
P. Muthukumaran
Lecturer, P.G. Dept
biochemistry
Meenakshmi chandrasekaran arts
and Science College
Pattukkottai 614 601, Thanjavur
E mail: muthubabi_p@yahoo.co.in
Received on 06.09.2010
Accepted on 11.09.2010
© A&V Publication all right reserved
P. Muthukumaran et.al.
Anti-Ulcer Effects of Ipomoea aquatica forsk
Leaves Against Gastric Ulcers in Rats
P. Muthukumaran*1 and K. Pattabiraman2
1
Meenakshmi Chandrasekaran arts and Science College, Pattukkottai
614 601, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India
2
Department of Siddha Medicine, Faculty of Science, Tamil University,
Vakaiyur, Thanjavur - 613 010, Tamilnadu, India.
ABSTRACT:
The anti ulcer effects of aqueous, chloroform and ethanol extracts prepared
from the Ipomoea aquatica forsk leaves was evaluated in rats employing the
pylorus ligation, stress induced and aspirin induced models. The parameters
taken to assess anti ulcer activity were volume of gastric juice, free acidity,
total acidity and ulcer index. The results indicated that chloroform extract
significantly (p<0.001) decreased the volume of gastric acid secretions, free
acidity and total acidity and ulcer index.
KEYWORDS: Ipomoea aquatica forsk Antiulcer effect, Pylorus ligation,
Aspirin, Stress
INTRODUCTION:
Ipomoea aquatica forsk belongs to the family Convolvulaceae grows wild
and is cultivated throughout Southeast Asia and is a widely consumed
vegetable in the region. Many of the waters where IAF grows serve as
recipients for domestic and other types of wastewater. Water spinach is also
supposed to possess an insulin-like activity according to indigenous medicine
in Sri Lanka (Malalavidhane, T.S et al, 2000). Only a very few scientific
studies have been conducted on its medicinal aspects. These include the
inhibition of effects on liver diseases. (Badruzzaman, S.M. et al 1992),
constipation (Samuelsson, G et al 1992). It is runner type plant with
numerous small flowers. (Merrill, E.D.1917. Merrill, E.D 1939, Van
Ooststroom, S.J1940, Van Ooststroom S.J et al 1953) A study of efficacy of
different extracts of Ipomoea aquatica forsk against gastric ulcers with three
models in rats is an effort made in the same direction.
Plant material:
The fresh leaf’s of IAF was collected from (Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India)
Southern Ghats of South India during June 2008.The specimen voucher was
deposited in the Department of Environment and Herbal science Tamil
.of university, Thanjavur.
Preparation of extract:
400 gm of powder was suspended in 500ml of distilled water at room
temperature. The mixture was sieved through a muslin cloth, followed by
filtration using filter paper. The filtrate was mixed with chloroform in a
separating funnel and shaken until separation was observed in two layers.
The extract of two layers were run out into separate beaker and placed in an
oven to dry at 50ºC. Residues of extracts were made into suspensions using
sterile distilled water and chloroform in concentration of 100 mg/ml.
Ethanolic extract was also prepared similarly (Muhammad, H.S et al 2005).
1
Research J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2010; 2(6): 103-108 P. Muthukumaran et.al.

Animals: aqueous suspension of aspirin (200 mg/kg) 4 h later. The

Albino-Wister rats of either sex weighing between150-200 animals were sacrificed and stomach was opened to
g were used. The animals were acclimatized for 10 days calculate the ulcer index as given earlier.
before and during study in the Central Animal House of
Department of Siddha Medicine Tamil University Phyto-chemical analysis:
Thanjavur under standard conditions at room temperature of The leaves Ipomoea aquatica forsk extract (chloroform)
24±2 C, relative humidity of 45-55% and 12:12 light/dark was analyzed using TLC plates (0.1 mm thick silica gel)
cycle. The animals were fed with standard rodent pellet (Sai eluted with ethyl acetate-glacial acetic acid- water
Durga Feeds and Food, Bangalore, India (Pranav Agro (100:11:1126).The spots were identified under short wave
Industries Ltd., Sangli, India). Water was supplied ad UV light.
libitum under stricthygienic conditions. The Institutional
Statistical analysis:
Animal Ethics Committee, Department of siddha medicine
The results of the above experiment are indicated in terms
Tamil university Thanjavur approved the protocol of the
of Mean ± SEM. Statistical difference between mean were
study. All the chemicals used were of analytical grade.
calculated using one-way analysis of variance followed by
Dunnet’s ‘t’ test, p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Acute Toxicity:
Acute toxicity studies of henna extracts were performed on RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
rats and the lethal dose was estimated using the method Traditionally medicinal plants have been used in folk
described by Miller and Tainter (Miller, L.C et al 1994). medicine throughout the world to treat various diseases,
especially gastric ulcers. We evaluated preventive effects of
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: aqueous, chloroform and ethanol extracts obtained from
Animals were divided into five groups (n=6). Group-I henna leaves in animals using the different standard
received 2% gum acacia that served as control, group-II experimental models of induced gastric ulcers. Pylorus
received ranitidine orally (20 mg/kg), group-III, IV and V ligation model resulted the accumulation of gastric
received aqueous, chloroform and ethanolic extracts (1g/kg) secretary volume and an increase in the total acid output of
respectively the gastric juice .Circular and linear lesions were frequently
seen in the stomach of all the control animals.
Study of antiulcer activity using pylorus ligation Administration of henna extracts resulted in a significant
method: reduction in ulcer index when compared with control
The method of Shay et al.1945, was adopted. Animals were (Table-1). Although in most of the cases the aetiology of
fasted for 24 h and the dose was administrated30 min prior the u ulcers is unknown, it is generally accepted that it
to pylorus ligation. Animals were sacrificed 4 h later and results from an imbalance between aggressive factor and the
the stomach was removed .The gastric content was maintenance of the mucosal integrity through the
collected and centrifuged. The volume, free acidity, total endogenous defense mechanism (Piper, D.W., et al1986).
acidity of gastric fluid was determined. The stomach was Henna prevented the mucosal lesions induced by pylorus
then incised along the greater curvature and observed for ligation. This suggests that the components present in the
ulcers. The number of ulcers was counted using a extract must be suppressing gastric damage. Henna was also
magnifying glass. Mean ulcer score for each animal was found to decrease the acid volume, total acidity and free
expressed as ulcer index. The ulcers were graded using the acidity. These effects of henna treatment on the parameters
following scoring system- 0= Normal mucosa; 0.5= Red that influence the initiation and induction of ulceration may
coloration; 1.0=Spot ulcer; 1.5=Hemorrhagic streaks; be considered as high desirable property of anti-ulcerogenic
2.0=Ulcere”3 mm but d”5mm; 3.0=Ulcer e” 5 mm agent. In this study our investigations continued with stress
induced model
Study of antiulcer activity using stress induced Ulcers:
The method of Nagura 1972 modified by Bacchi 1988 was Ulcers induced by stresses in rats, which was protected by
adopted. Animals were fasted for 24 h before the our extract. With stress-induced model too, it was the
experiment. The animals were treated with respective dose. chloroform extract of the henna leaves that offered
They were anaesthetized with ether .Both upper and lower maximum protection of 54.92% against the ulcer observed
extremities were fixed together and the animals were (Table 2). It has been reported that stress induced gastric
wrapped in a wire gaze. They were horizontally suspended lesions develop as a result of multifunctional impairment of
in the dark at 20°C for24 h, and finally sacrificed. The mucosal defense system (Guth, P. H1972) vagal nerve
stomach was removed and severity of ulcers was registered which increases gastric secretion]. (Kitgawa, H et al 1979)
and the ulcer index was calculated as mentioned earlier. and gastric mobility(Garrick, T., et al 1986) Apart from
peripheral events, central mechanism including over acidity
Study of anti ulcer activity using aspirin induced ulcers: have also been considered for the pathogenesis of stress
The method of Hedge et al., 1994 was adopted. The animals ulcers (Henke, P.G et al 1992 Bhatnagar, Met al2005).
were treated with respective dose of 8 days as mentioned in Based on results of this study it could be suggested that
previous model. After 8 days of treatment animals were inhibition of acid hyper secretion might be involved in the
fasted for 24 h. ulcer was induced by administration of protection afforded by henna extract in this model.
2
Research J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2010; 2(6): 103-108 P. Muthukumaran et.al.

Table 1: Effect of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk leaves on gastric ulcers induced by pylorus ligation
Group Treatment Volume of Free acidity Total acidity Ulcer index %Protection
No. Gastric juice (ml) (m/Eg/1)100g (m/Eg/1)100g Mean±SEM ulcer
I Control 9.25±0.125 20.65±0.540 56.6±3.410 2.5±0.288 ------
II Ranitidine 3.625±0.118 5.825±0.731 14.8±0.641 0.75±0.144 70.0
III Aqueous extract 5.675±0.330 10.120±0.149 24.77±0.902 1.62±0.314 35.2
IV Chloroform Extract 4.375±0.242 7.875±0.253 19.025±0.187 1.12±0.124 55.2
V Ethanol extract 6.750±0.866 19.27±0.261 44.12±4.364 2.50±0.288 00.0

Table 2: Effect of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk leaves on gastric ulcer induced by stress
Group No. Treatment Ulcer Index Mean±SEM % Protection from ulcer
I Control 12.5±2.254 ----------
II Ranitidine 1.5±0.144*** 87.98
III Aqueous extract 7.5±0.763* 39.90
IV Chloroform Extract 5.5±0.288** 54.92
V Ethanol extract 8.5±0.72 31.92

Table 3: Effects of Ipomoea aquatica Forsk leaves on gastric ulcers induced by aspirin
Group No. Treatment Ulcer Index Mean±SEM % Protection from ulcer
I Control 12.5±2.254 ----------
II Ranitidine 2.5±0.279** 79.17
III Aqueous extract 4.0±0.166* 66.60
IV Chloroform Extract 2.5±0.166** 79.17
V Ethanol extract 7.5±0.500 37.50
Values are expressed at * P < 0.05; ** P< 0.01; *** P< 0.001-significant reduction in ulcer index as compared with control group, Ns- indicates
non significant

Further it has been postulated that histamine might be
involved in the formation of pylorus ligated ulcers and
plays a mediating a role in gastric secretions stimulated by
gastrin vagal excitation (Glicket al, 1966, Rangachari,
1975). Endogenous histamine formation and the release
from mast cells in the gastric mucosa have also been
implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcers produced by
stress Thus, the effects of henna extract on gastric lesion
induced by the above two models could be due to the
histamine inhibition.
The efficacy of henna extract against gastric ulcers led us to
perform yet another model i.e. aspirin induced. This model
too resulted in a significant percentage protection (79.17)
against gastric ulcers. The percentage protection observed
was very much the same as that of standard drug ranitidine
(Table3). A few reports have been implicated focal mucosal
ischemia as a major event in the development of aspirin
induced acute erosive gastritis (Ashley, S. Wet al 198 4,
Robins, P. G 1980).
It has been demonstrated that many drugs or formulations
possess potent antioxidant actions and are effective in
healing experimentally induced gastric ulcers. Batra and
Balraman 2005 have reported that the anti ulcer effect of
peptic was due to its antioxidants mechanism of action. We
have not carried out studies pertaining to the anti-oxidant
nature of our extract however the presence of above
compounds can be considered as one of the bioactive
responsible for the effects presented in this investigation.
CONCLUSION:
This study reveals significant anti ulcer effects of aqueous,
chloroform and ethanol extracts from Ipomoea aquatica
forsk leaves in experimental models of gastric lesions
induced by pylorus ligation, aspirin and stress. Further
studies using more specific methods are required to explore
the chemical compounds responsible for the activity and the
mechanism of this activity which might prove important
and improved therapies for the treatment and prevention of
ulcers.

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