Gastric ulcer protective and hepatoprotective activities of ethanolic extract from Gynura divaricata (L.) DC.

Abstract

Gynura divaricata (L.) DC. (Jark-na-rai), Family Asteraceae is a Chinese medicinal plant that has been claimed to be effective in treatments of many diseases and disorders such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peptic ulcer and liver diseases. The present study was carried out in order to provide scientific data to substantiate the claimed effects of G. divaricata. The gastric ulcer protective activity of the ethanolic extract of G. divaricata (GDE) was investigated in rats by using various experimental models, which included restraint water immersion stress-, EtOH/HCl-, and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. The GDE given orally at the dose of 250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg significantly inhibited gastric ulcer formation in all 3 models. At the dose of 1,000 mg/kg the GDE showed percent inhibition of 86.17, 99.74 and 78.79 in the restraint water immersion stress, EtOH/HCl and indomethacin models, respectively. According to the data obtained from the pylorus ligation and the gastric wall mucus determination with EtOH/HCl treated rats, an anti-secretory activity and preservation of gastric mucus are suggested to be possible mechanisms mediated the gastroprotective effect of the GDE. The GDE was also evaluated for a hepatoprotective activity in rats and diverse hepatotoxins including carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), paracetamol and D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) were used in the study. Pretreatment with GDE (250, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg p.o.) daily, for 10 days prior to the administration of hepatotoxins could significantly prevent the increased serum hepatic enzymes: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspirate aminotransferase (AST). The hepatoprotective effect was further confirmed by histopathological study. The present study has revealed the gastric ulcer protective and hepatoprotective activity of G. divaricata, thus supporting the rational for its use as an alternative medicine in the primary health care.