Gastroprotective activity of polyphenolic-rich extract of Potentilla mooniana

Abstract

Context: Potentilla mooniana Wight. (Rosaceae) is a plant found in the Himalayan region where the root is traditionally used to treat stomach problems including gastric-ulcer.

Objective: To scientifically validate the gastro-protective effect and derive the possible mechanistic activity of the ethanol root extract from P. mooniana (EPM).

Materials and methods: The gastroprotective effect of EPM (100–400 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated on both the physical (Pyloric ligation, PL; Cold restrain stress, CRS) and chemical (absolute ethanol, EtOH; aspirin, ASP) ulcerogens induced ulceration in rats. The mechanistic activity of EPM was tested on various gastric-ulcer parameters, namely gastric pH, volume, acid–pepsin output, DNA content, histamine level, H⁺K⁺–ATPase activity, mucus content, microvascular permeability, antioxidant markers, and gastric-histopathological study.

Results: EPM significantly reduces the ulcer score against all the four tested gastric-ulcer models. In the PL model, EPM showed significant reduction (p < 0.05) in acid–pepsin output and cell shedding; however, no significant effect was observed on gastric volume, cell proliferation, stomach glandular weight, and histamine levels. EPM (400 mg/kg, p.o.) when compared with ulcer control showed significant increase in gastric pH by 41.6% and decrease in H⁺K⁺–ATPase activity by 47.73%. In addition, EPM showed significant increase in mucus content by 58.60% and a decrease in the microvascular permeability of Evans Blue by 85.00%, justifying its protective effects. Furthermore, EPM also showed significant antioxidant activity and histopathologically possessed excellent cytoprotective effect.

Conclusion: The gastro-protective effect of EPM is attributed mainly to the defensive mechanism owing to the presence of a good quantity of polyphenolic components.

• Antioxidant
• ethanol
• gastric-ulcer
• pyloric ligation
• mucus
• polysaccharides
• histopathology

Acknowledgements

Financial assistance provided by Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scheme (RGNFS) to Mr. Damiki Laloo is greatly acknowledged. Authors also wished to acknowledge The Botanical Survey of India, Shillong, Meghalaya, for plant identification. We are also thankful to Mr. H. C. Pakyntein (President and herbal practitioner: Jaintia Indigenous Medicine Association) for supplying and providing information regarding the medicinal uses of the plant as gastroprotective.