Antiulcer activity of Muntingia calabura leaves involves the modulation of endogenous nitric oxide and nonprotein sulfhydryl compounds. (April 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balan, Tavamani; Mohd. Sani, Mohd. Hijaz; Suppaiah, Velan; Mohtarrudin, Norhafizah; Suhaili, Zarizal; Ahmad, Zuraini; Zakaria, Zainul Amiruddin
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 52:Number 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 410
• Page End: 418
• Publication Date: 2014-04
• Subjects: Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2013.839713
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Context</italic>: <italic>Muntingia calabura</italic> L. (Muntingiaceae) is a native plant species of the American continent and is widely cultivated in warm areas in Asia, including Malaysia. The plant is traditionally used to relieve pain from gastric ulcers.</p> <p> <italic>Objective</italic>: This study was designed to determine the antiulcer activity of a methanol extract of <italic>M. calabura</italic> leaves (MEMC) and the possible mechanisms of action involved.</p> <p> <italic>Materials and methods</italic>: An acute toxicity study was conducted using a single oral dose of 2000 mg/kg MEMC. The antiulcer activity of MEMC was evaluated in absolute ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer rat models. MEMC was administered orally (dose range 25–500 mg/kg) to rats fasted for 24 h. The animals were pretreated with <italic>N</italic><sup>G</sup>-nitro-<sc>l</sc>-arginine methyl esters (<sc>l</sc>-NAME) or <italic>N</italic>-ethylmaleimide (NEM) prior to MEMC treatment to assess the possible involvement of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) compounds in the gastroprotective effect of MEMC.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: As the administered dose did not cause toxicity in the rats, the oral median lethal dose (LD<sub>50</sub>) of MEMC was >2000 mg/kg in rats. MEMC exerted significant (<italic>p</italic> < 0.001) gastroprotective activity in the ethanol- and indomethacin-induced ulcer models dose-dependently. Histological evaluation supported the observed antiulcer activity of MEMC. <sc>l</sc>-NAME and NEM pretreatment significantly (<italic>p</italic> < 0.05) reversed and abolished the gastroprotective effect of MEMC, respectively.</p> <p> <italic>Discussion and conclusion</italic>: The results obtained indicate that MEMC has significant antiulcer activity that might involve the participation of endogenous NO and NP-SH compounds. These findings provide new pharmacological information regarding the potential use of <italic>M. calabura.</italic></p> </abstract>