Screening of antioxidant and antiulcer potential of Citrullus colocynthis methanolic seed extract

Abstract

Medicinal plants are the backbone of Traditional systems of medicine throughout the world. They are invaluable, incredible and traditional source for the curing various diseases in the form of medicines. The objective of our present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antiulcerogenic property of Citrullus colocynthis seeds. The motivation behind this study was to highlight the importance of traditionally consumed seeds as a potent source of bioactive compounds. Phytochemical screening of methanolic seed extract showed the presence of various phytoconstituents that are responsible for pharmacological activities. Antioxidant activity of extract was studied spectrophotometrically by 1, l-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl and Hydrogen Peroxide free radical scavenging method. The methanolic seed extract of Citrullus colocynthis showed maximum percentage inhibition of 79.4 and 72.4% by 1, l-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl and Hydrogen peroxide method respectively at 300 μg mL -1, as the seed extract showed good antioxidant potential. It was further evaluated for anti-ulcerogenic activity by pyloric ligation induced ulcers model in Wistar albino rats. Citrullus colocynthis (200 mg kg -1) showed maximum inhibition of gastric volume, free acid and total acidity 1.68±0.18, 39.86±3.86 and 61.23±1.87 at dose 200 mg kg -1. The maximum percentage inhibition of the extract by pyloric ligation was 71.57% at a dose of 200 mg kg -1. The results of Present study revealed that the seed extract of Citrullus colocynthis possesses significant antiulcerogenic activity due to its free radical scavenging property. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.