Gastroprotective effect of standardized extract of Amukkara choornam on experimental gastric ulcer in rats

Amukkara choornam ethanolic extract (ACE) was investigated for phytochemical screening, content of total phenolics and flavonoids, in vitro radical scavenging activity (RSA), quantification of various antiulcer marker compounds (i.e., eugenol, piperine, trans-caryophyllene, and withaferine A) by a validated HPTLC method, and evaluated for its in vivo gastroprotective ability against ethanol (EtOH)-induced and pylorus ligation (PL)-induced ulcer models in rats. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, phenols, bitter principles, and steroids. Total phenolic and flavonoid content was found to be 61.12 +/- A 0.72 mg GAE/g of ACE and 24.06 +/- A 1.07 mg RE/g of ACE, respectively; this was found to be very high in plant extracts showing very good antioxidant and antiulcerogenic effect. RSA of ACE appeared significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of ascorbic acid (AA), but higher than that of ranitidine (RAN). In vivo the pretreatment of rats with RAN (100 mg/kg) and 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg doses of ACE significantly reduced the ulcer index in a dose-dependant manner in both the models by blocking lipid peroxidation and by significant increases in superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. But rats treated with AA (200 mg/kg) did not have any effect on the ulcer induced by EtOH or PL as it has very good in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity. HPTLC analysis showed the presence of 0.198 +/- A 0.01 mu g/g, 0.754 +/- A 0.06 mg/g, 3.50 +/- A 0.04, and 0.854 +/- A 0.04 mu g/g of eugenol, piperine, trans-caryophyllene, and withaferine A per gram of Amukkara choornam (AC). So the antiulcerogenic activity of ACE might be due to a possible synergistic antioxidant, supported by the holistic approach of polyherbal formulations, i.e., systematism, multi-target and multi-channel owing to their complex chemical constituents and antihistaminic-like effects.