Evaluation of the anti-ulcer activity of seeds of Syzyzium cumini on experimental animal models

Abstract

Syzyzium cumini (Myrtaceae) is an evergreen tropical tree mostly found in South East Asia. Extracts of fruits and seeds are extensively used in the treatment of diabetes. Other folkloric uses include treatment of cold, cough, fever, skin problem and genitourinary tract ulcer. The present study evaluated the anti-ulcer activity of the seeds of S. cumini against different ulcer models in rats. The anti-ulcer activity of the methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract of S. cumini seed was evaluated in ethanol, pylorus ligation, Aspirin + pylorus ligation and stress-induced gastric ulcer model. The study biomarkers used were gastric volume, pH, ulcer index and free acidity. The extract and fraction at the dose level of 200 mg/kg caused a significant (P <0.05) reduction in the ulcer index, free acidity while there was an increase in the pH value of the test in comparison to the solvent control group. Experimentally, it was observed that animals who received ethyl acetate fraction had relatively improved protection of gastric ulcer as demonstrated by different biomarkers. The present study showed that the ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract of S. cumini seed possesses potential anti-ulcer activity. This may be due to a linear relationship between the antioxidant value of the seeds as reported earlier by several authors due to rich in phenolic compounds, which in turn is responsible for mucosal cytoprotection of the stomach and hence, participate in the enhancement of mucosal defence mechanism.