Anti-ulcer activity of leguminosae plants.
BACKGROUND
Ulcer is the most common gastrointestinal disturbance resulting from an inadequate gastric mucosal defense. Several drugs are available in the market to address the disease; however, these drugs are associated with unnecessary side effects.


OBJECTIVE
Previous research have confirmed the efficacy of plant extracts for possible treatment of the disease. This research aims to evaluate the anti-ulcer properties of medicinal plants.


METHODS
Methanol extracts from the leaves of Intsia bijuga, Cynometra ramiflora, Tamarindus indica, Cassia javanica, Cassia fistula, Bauhini purpurea, Senna spectabilis, Senna siamea and Saraca thaipingensis were evaluated for their anti-ulcer activity using HCl-ethanol as ulcerogen.


RESULTS
All extracts showed inhibitory activity with I. bijuga, T. indica, S. spectabilis and S. thaipingensis exhibiting more than 50% inhibition. S. thaipingensis showed the highest activity at 80%. S. spectabilis and S. thaipingensis were partitioned further into hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions. The aqueous and ethyl acetate fractions of S. spectabilis showed significant increased in its activity while the hexane and ethyl acetate fractions of S. thaipingensis gave higher activity than its aqueous portions.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that plant extracts are potential sources of new anti-ulcer agents.
Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Noemi D
ND
Paguigan
Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Darryl Hannah B
DH
Castillo
Institute of Chemistry, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Christine L
CL
Chichioco-Hernandez
D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts