ABSTRACT
Background: Gastroprotective effects of cuscuta reflexa may be considered as alterative to many currently used anti peptic ulcer drugs
Objective: To explore the in-vivo gastroprotective activity and antiulcer potential of crude extract of the indigenous medicinal plant, Cuscuta reflexa, belonging to the plant family 'Convolvulace
Methodology: This experimental study was conducted from 1[st] March to 1[st] July 2015 at faculty of pharmacy and alternative medicine, Islamia Universty Bahawalpur. The antiulcer activity of Cuscuta reflexa [Cs.Cr] was investigated in aspirin-induced ulcer models. Wistar Albino rats were divided into six groups, each consisting of six animals. Control and intoxicated groups received normal saline at the dose of 8 ml/kg, standard group received Cimetidine [100 mg/kg] and the test groups received three different doses [30, 100 and 300 mg/kg] of Cs.Cr oraly individually for seven days, with subsequent administration of aspirin [200 mg/kg oraly] for two consecutive days. At the end of the experimental period, rats were anaesthetized and sacrificed. The stomach was removed and incised to collect the gastric juice for determination of pH and acidity. The stomach from each group was evaluated for ulcer index and percent protection. Afterwards, stomachs were weighed and samples preserved in 10% formalin for histopathological studies. Acute toxicity studies were also performed in mice. The extract [Cs.Cr] was also analyzed phytochemically for the presence of various secondary metabolites
Results: Oral administration of the crude extract of Cuscuta reflexa [Cs.Cr] exhibited dose-dependent [30-300 mg/kg] significant protection [p<0.05] in the Aspirin-induced peptic ulcerated animals. The extract, Cs.Cr, was found to be safe up to the dose of 10 g/kg in mice. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of several metabolites like glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes and tannins in the crude extract of the plant
Conclusion: The results of the study clearly showed that Cs.Cr possesses gastroprotective potential and caused the reversal of peptic ulceration which justify the traditional use of the plant in several gastric ailments like hyperacidity, gastro-esophageal reflux disease and ulcer. However, further investigations are needed to explore the exact mechanism[s] responsible for protective effects of the plant