Antiulcer Activity of the Ethanolic Extract of the Aerial Part of Ipomoea carnea Jacq. in Rats

Abstract

Background: The goal of the current study was to examine the anti-ulcer potential of an ethanolic extract of the aerial part of the convolvulaceae plant Ipomoea carnea Jacq. in rats.

Methods: Thirty six animals were used in the investigation, which were divided into six groups of six rats each for the purpose of evaluating antiulcer activity. For 24 hours, all of the rats were starved. Following the fasting period, oral indomethacin (40 mg/kg) was administered. All samples of the plant extract were given 60 min prior to Indomethacin as follows: Group I animals received distilled water (0.5 mL/kg b.w.; orally) and served as control. Group II animals received distilled water (0.5 mL/kg b.w.; orally) and served as ulcer control. Group III rats received Omeprazole (30 mg/kg b.w.; orally), and served as the reference drug group for comparison. Groups IV, V and VI received EIC orally at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg b.w., respectively. To evaluate a number of parameters, gastric juice was collected. Gastric volume, ulcer index, pH, free acidity and total acidity in the gastric juice of Indomethacin-induced (InI) rats were used to measure the antiulcer activity. Additionally, the markers of oxidative stress were measured, including lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT).

Results: A significant (p<0.05) decrease in gastric volume, ulcer index, free acidity and total acidity in the gastric juice of InI rats served as evidence that the ethanolic extract (EE) of aerial part of Ipomoea carnea Jacq. (AIC) had antiulcer activity on InI ulcer in rats in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the elevated LPO and SOD levels were dramatically reduced by the pre-treatment with EE of AIC. Also, in a dose-dependent way, the lowered GSH and CAT levels were elevated in InI ulcerated rats.

Conclusion: The current investigation showed that InI rats exposed to the EE of AIC had strong dose-dependent antiulcer activity.