The protective and
therapeutic effects of Argyreia speciosa Sweet (Convolvulaceae) against
ethanol-induced
gastric ulcer in rats were evaluated. Ethanolic and water extracts of the aerial plant parts (200 mg/kg
body weight) were orally administered daily for seven days prior to or after ulceration with one oral dose of 1 mL absolute
ethanol on 24-h empty stomachs. Rats were divided into eleven groups. Group 1 served as control. To groups 2 and 3 each extract was administered. Groups 4 to 6 received each extract or
ranitidine (100 mg/kg
body weight) prior to
ulcer induction. Groups 7 to 9 received each extract or
ranitidine post
ulcer induction. Groups 10 and 11 were gastric ulcerative rats after one hour and one week of
ethanol induction. The evaluation was done through measuring
ulcer indices: stomach acidity and volume, lesion counts, mucus, and
prostaglandin E2 contents. Oxidative stress marker, i. e.
malondialdehyde,
glutathione, and
superoxide dismutase, were estimated. Certain marker
enzymes for different cell organelles, i. e.
succinate and
lactate dehydrogenases,
glucose-6-phosphatase,
acid phosphatase, and
5'-nucleotidase, were evaluated. The work was extended to determine the
collagen content and the histopathological assessment of the stomach.
Gastric ulcer exhibited a significant elevation of the
ulcer index,
antioxidant levels,
collagen content, and the marker
enzymes. The water extract attenuated these increments and was more potent as a
protective agent, while the
ethanol extract exhibited stronger therapeutic potency. In conclusion, A. speciosa acted as antiulcer agent. More detailed studies are required to identify the compounds responsible for the pharmacological effect.