Anti-Gastric Ulcer Activity of the Water Extract from Payawanorn (Pseuderanthemum Palatiferum)

Objective: To examine the anti-gastric ulcer activity of Payawanorn ( Psuderanthemum palatiferum )  water extract (PPE) in rats. Material and Methods: Evaluation of anti-gastric ulcer activity of PPE was performed using three induced gastric ulcers models: (1) ethanol/hydrochloric acid (EtOH/HCl), (2) restraint water immersion stress and (3) indomethacin. Ulcer indices were determined by microscopic examination (10X). Pylorus ligation and gastric-wall mucus determination were used to investigate the mechanism of anti-gastric ulcer activity of PPE. Results: Oral administration of PPE (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) significantly inhibited gastric ulcer formation induced by EtOH/HCl, by water immersion restraint stress, and by indomethacin in rats (p-value<0.05). PPE at 600 mg/kg showed a high percent inhibition of gastric ulcer formation in all models. In the pylorus-ligated model, pretreatment with PPE had no effect on pH, acidity output or the gastric acid secretion rate, demonstrating that PPE lacks an anti-secretory effect. Gastric wall mucus was markedly preserved by pretreatment PPE at 600 mg/kg (18.91±2.57 μg alcian blue/g wet stomach) after ethanol-induced ulcer when compared to that the control group (12.38±1.02 μg alcian blue/ g wet stomach). Conclusion: PPE possesses an anti-gastric ulcer effect related to the preservation of gastric mucus, supporting the traditional use of P. palatiferum to treat gastric ulcers.