Antiulcerogenic and ulcer healing effects of Solanum nigrum (L.) on experimental ulcer models: Possible mechanism for the inhibition of acid formation
Introduction
Gastric hyperacidity and gastroduodenal ulcer is a very common global problem today. It is now generally agreed that gastric lesions develop when the delicate balance between some gastroprotective and aggressive factors is lost. Major aggressive factors are acid, pepsin, Helicobacter pylori and bile salts. Defensive factors mainly involve mucus-bicarbonate secretion and prostaglandins (Hoogerwerf and Pasricha, 2001). Hypersecretion of gastric acid is a pathological condition, which occurs due to uncontrolled secretion of hydrochloric acid from the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa through the proton pumping H+K+ATPase (Sachs et al., 1995). Even the normal rate of acid secretion may cause ulceration in the breached mucosa when some gastroprotective factors are lost.
The modern approach to control gastric ulceration is to inhibit gastric acid secretion, to promote gastroprotection, to block apoptosis and to stimulate epithelial cell proliferation for effective healing (Bandhopadhyay et al., 2002). Most of the antisecretory drugs such as proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, etc.) and histamine H2-receptor blocker (ranitidine, famotidine, etc.) are extensively used to control increased acid secretion and acid related disorders caused by stress, NSAID's and H. pylori, but there are reports of adverse effects and relapse in the long run (Martelli et al., 1998, Wolfe and Sachs, 2000). On the contrary most of the herbal drugs reduces the offensive factors and proved to be safe, clinically effective, better patient tolerance, relatively less expensive and globally competitive (Goel and Sairam, 2002). Plant extracts, however, are some of the most attractive sources of new drugs and have been shown to produce promising results in the treatment of gastric ulcers.
Solanum nigrum Linn. (Solanaceae) commonly known as ‘Black nightshade’ that have been extensively used in traditional medicine in India and other parts of world to cure liver disorders, chronic skin ailments (psoriasis and ringworm), inflammatory conditions, painful periods, fevers, diarrhoea, eye diseases, hydrophobia, etc. (Kritikar and Basu, 1935). Our research interest in this plant arose because of its potential medicinal value against peptic ulcer, as used in folk medicine. The plant contains glycoalkaloids (solanine, solamargine, solanigrine and solasodine (0.09–0.65%)), steroidal glycosides (β-solamargine, solasonine and α,β-solansodamine), steroidal saponins (diosgenin (0.4–1.2%)), steroidal genin (gitogenin), tannin (7–10%) and polyphenolic compounds. Mature fruits are low in alkaloid (solanine) content (Saijo et al., 1982, Duke, 1985, Son et al., 2003).
Previous reports indicated that Solanum nigrum fruits possess beneficial activity as antiulcer, antioxidant and antitumor promoting agent in rats (Prashanth Kumar et al., 2001, Son et al., 2003, Jainu and Devi, 2004). Solanum nigrum fruits are very commonly used as hepatoprotective agents (Raju et al., 2003), which also afford protection against free radical mediated damage (Bardhan et al., 1985). More recent reports revealed that the plant exerted cytoprotection against gentamycin-induced toxicity on vero cells (Prashanth Kumar et al., 2001). It has been reported earlier that aerial parts of Solanum nigrum is believed to offer its antiulcer action through acid and peptic suppression in aspirin induced ulcerogenesis in rats (Akthar and Munir, 1989).
Any potent antiulcer drug should possess both antiulcer as well as ulcer healing property. Experimental studies to determine both of these properties of Solanum nigrum are very limited, so it was worthwhile to undertake such investigation using the extract of mature fruits of Solanum nigrum (SNE). The present study incorporates the evaluation of antiulcer effect of SNE in cold restraint stress (CRU), indomethacin (IND), pyloric ligation (PL) and ethanol (EtOH) induced ulcer models. In addition, the healing effect of SNE in acetic acid induced ulcer model was also analyzed. Using EtOH-induced gastric ulcer model, evidence has been presented in this paper to show that gastroprotective effect of SNE is mediated through acid inhibitory effect, by inactivating H+K+ATPase and suppression of gastrin release. This study thus provides an insight on the mechanism of the antiulcer effect of SNE.
Section snippets
Drugs and chemicals
Methanol (MeOH), dichloromethane (DCM), indomethacin, lansoprazole (LNZ) and omeprazole (OMP) (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO, USA) were used in this study. A commercial gastrin hormone assay kit was obtained from Diagnostic Products Corporation (Los Angeles, CA). All substances were prepared immediately before use and the reagents used were of analytical grade.
Plant material
The mature fruits of Solanum nigrum used in this study were purchased from Native Care and Cure Center, India and identified with
Phytochemical analysis
The screening procedures were positive for alkaloids, carbohydrates, steroids, anthocyanins, saponins, tannins, polyphenols, and volatile oil and negative for xanthones and anthraquinones.
Toxicity studies
The results of the oral administration of SNE in various doses of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg b.w. for 14 days on different hematological and biochemical parameters in rats are presented in Table 1. The SNE alone treated rats even at the dose of 4.0 g/kg b.w. showed non-significant effect on RBC, WBC, Hb, HCT, MCV,
Discussion
In the present study we have checked the protective effects on gastric ulcer models, ulcer healing and antisecretory property of Solanum nigrum, which is very important plant in herbal medicine practice. Toxicity studies of SNE carried out in rats indicate no lethal effect at least up to an oral dose of 4.0 g/kg for 14 days indicating that LD50 of SNE will be higher than that dose. The studies of SNE on hematological parameters are close to or within the normal range suggested that there are no
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