ABSTRACT
Melastoma malabathricum L. Smith [Melastomaceae] has been used in the Malay traditional culture to treat ulcer-based ailments. The objective of the present study was to investigate the potential anti-ulcer effect of aqueous extract of M. malabathricum leaves [AEMM] using ethanol- and indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer models in rats. Rats were divided into ten groups [n=6] and received DMSO [10%; negative group], ranitidine [100mg/kg; positive group] or AEMM [50, 250 and 500mg/kg] orally for 7 days and on the 8[th] day subjected to the respective gastric ulcer models. The stomachs were collected and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic analysis. At all groups tested, the AEMM exerted significant [p<0.05] anti-ulcer effect only against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model. The percentage of anti-ulcer for the 50-500mg/kg AEMM ranging between 50-82%, respectively. The macroscopic observations were supported by histological findings. In conclusion, AEMM exhibits potential anti-ulcer activity attributed to its previously proven high flavonoids content and antioxidant activity
ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective activity of Dicranopteris linearis L. [family Gleicheniaceae] leaf aqueous extract [DLAE] using two models of liver injury in rats. Rats were divided into ten groups [n=6] and received dH2O [negative control], 200 mg/kg silymarin [positive control] or DLAE [50, 250 and 500 mg/kg] orally once daily for 7 consecutive days and on the 8th day subjected to the hepatotoxic induction either using carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] or paracetamol [PCM]. The bloods and livers were collected and subjected to biochemical and microscopical analysis. From the data obtained, only the highest dose of DLAE significantly [p<0.05] reduced the ALP, ALT and AST levels in CCl[4]-and PCM-induced hepatotoxic rats while the other doses caused significant [p<0.05] reduction only in the levels of ALT and AST. The histological results obtained were in line with the biochemical analysis wherein reduction in the CCl[4]- and PCM-induced tissue formation of necrosis, steatosis and inflammation occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the DLAE possesses hepatoprotective activity, which could be attributed to its free radicals scavenging and antioxidant activities, and high flavonoids content. Thus, in-depth studies regarding the hepatoprotective activity of DLAE are warranted