Anti-gastric ulcer and cytoprotective properties of Caralluma arabica

Abstract

In the present study, a 10% ethanolic extract of Caralluma arabica, at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, was evaluated for the antigastric ulcer activity using experimental gastric ulcer models induced by phenylbutazone or indomethacin and 80% ethanol or 0.2 N NaOH, and cold restraint stress. Some experiments were carried out to study the effects of C. arabica extract on gastric acid secretion in pyloric ligation-induced ulcer and gastric wall mucin production. The 10% ethanolic extract of C. arabica produced a dose-dependent reduction in all experimentally induced gastric lesions used in the present study. The cytoprotective activity of C. arabica in ethanol-induced ulcer was completely abolished by pretreatment with indomethacin. Induction of gastric ulcer reduced gastric wall production of mucin to 50.8% of its initial value. This reduction was completely prevented by pretreatment with C. arabica extract. C. arabica extract significantly reduced total gastric acidity (from 22.4 ± 1.5 to 9.2 ± 1.6 mEq/L) and volume of gastric secretions (from 9.98 ± 0.7 to 2.03 ± 0.2 ml). Results of the present study reveal that the C. arabica extract protects gastric mucosal cells against experimental gastric mucosal damage. This effect confirms results of other studies on Caralluma species and seems to be mediated by multi-mechanisms including increased gastric production of prostaglandins and mucin and reduced gastric acidity.