Kaff-E-Maryam (Anastatica hierochuntica L.): Evaluation of Gastro-Protective Activity and Toxicity in Different Experimental Models

Context: Anastatica hierochuntica L., (Brassicaceae) is distributed throughout Arabian Peninsula, and elsewhere. It is locally called “Kaff-e-Maryam”. All parts of the plant are used in folk medicine. Objective: “Kaff-e-Maryam” is used to treat stomach cancer and stomach problems, infections, and to ease childbirth. There are no reports on its role in protection of gastric mucosa against toxic damage and nothing is known about its toxic potential. Ethanol treated rats were investigated in detail. The gastroprotective activity of “Kaff-e-Maryam” extract was evaluated in rats while toxicity studies were done in Brine shrimp and mice. Materials and methods: Ethanol extract of the whole plant was prepared and animals were treated with the standard necrotizing agents. Different doses of the extract were used for pharmacological and toxicity evaluation. Results: The group of rats treated (gavage) with necrotizing agents including 80% ethanol, caused damage to the stomach wall. The depletion of stomach-wall mucus, concentration of proteins, nucleic acids, and NP-SH groups occurred. The extract treatment caused protection against the changes induced by ethanol. Histopathological studies supported the findings. In brine shrimp toxicity test as well during acute and chronic toxicity studies in mice, A. hierochuntica treatment showed low toxicity. Discussion and conclusion: Pretreatment with A. hierochuntica extract offered protection against toxic damage to stomach wall; thus supporting the folklore claim. The extract was found to exert its defensive role through its free radical scavenging and prostaglandin inducing activities. Based on the results of current study, the use of A. hierochuntica was found to be safe in the given doses. The toxicity studies revealed A. hierochuntica extract in the given dose range, was not toxic.