title: Inulin-rich fractions from Vernonia kotschyana roots have anti-ulcer activity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Roots from Vernonia kotschyana are on the national list of essential drugs in Mali (West-Africa). It is sold under the name Gastrosedal and it used against ailments like gastritis and gastric ulcer. To evaluate the anti-ulcer, immunomodulating activities and toxicity of 50 and 100 °C water extracts, Vk50-I and Vk100-I respectively, from the roots of Vernonia kotschyana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Characterization of extracts was carried out by GC, colorimetric and biological methods. Vk50-I and Vk100-I were administrated 50 min before induction of gastric ulcers in mice with 0.3 M HCl-60% EtOH. Inhibition of ulcer formation was calculated based on lesion index. Immunological activities were measured by complement fixation and macrophage activation. Toxicity assay was carried out on brine shrimps.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vk50-I (98% inulin) and Vk100-I (83% inulin) from Vernonia kotschyana significantly inhibited the formation of gastric lesions in mice (100 mg/kg). No immunomodulating activities or toxicity were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that inulin is probably partly responsible for the anti-ulcer activity of Gastrosedal. In addition, it is possible that water soluble polysaccharides (mainly inulin) have an indirect impact on the general health of the GI.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway. ingvilau@farmasi.uio.no
authors.forename: Ingvild
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Austarheim
authors.forename: Cecilie S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Nergard
authors.forename: Rokia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sanogo
authors.forename: Drissa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.forename: Berit S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Paulsen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001156:Artemia / Q000187:drug effects; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002460:Cell Line; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*; D035741:Vernonia
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D002241:Carbohydrates; D010936:Plant Extracts