INTRODUCTION: Peptic ulcer disease refers to pathological lesions and ulcers of any portion of
gastrointestinal tract exposed to acid activated pepsin. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) differs from
gastritis and erosions in that ulcers typically extend deeper into the muscular is mucosa. There
are three common forms of peptic ulcers: Helicobacter pylorus (H. pylori) associated Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSADI) Induced, and stress ulcers. The term “Stress-related
mucosal damage” (SRMD) is preferred to stress ulcer or stress gastritis, because the mucosal
lesions range from superficial gastritis and erosions to deep ulcers. Gastric ulcer refers to ulcer
in the stomach where as duodenal ulcer is an ulcer found in duodenum of small intestine. Peptic ulcer is one of the major health problem both in terms of morbidity and in terms of
mortality. Research advances have offered new sights in the the therapy and prevention of
gastro duodenal ulcerations by measures directed at strengthening the mucosal defense systems
rather than by attenuating aggressive acid pepsin factors held responsible for the induction of
ulcers. Most of the peptic ulcers are duodenal in nature. The cause of ulceration in patients is
mainly due to hyper-secretion of gastric juice and pepsin. The other forms of peptic ulcers are
Zollinger-Elllison syndrome, drug associated ulcers and stress ulcers.
Treatment options available are use of muco protective agents, antacids, alginates,
motility stimulants and acid suppressants. Anti reflux surgery is done in severe cases. In spite of
established anti-ulcer drugs, a rational therapy for peptic ulcer remains elusive and search for
safer potential drugs is being carried out. AIM AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY: The aim of present study is to evaluate Anti-ulcer activity of Pithecellobium dulce seed
extracts by pylorus ligation method in Albino Wistar strain rats. Many plants showing Anti-ulcer activity is due to the presence of antioxidants,
Pithecellobium dulce seeds has not been explored for the Anti-ulcer Activity but the plant
possess antioxidant activity according to the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of
Pithecellobium dulce an overview. Hence my objective and my future work were concentrated
on the Anti-ulcer activity of Pithecellobium dulce seeds. DISCUSSION: Peptic ulcer and gastritis have been associated with multi pathogenic factors and could be
due to disturbances in natural balances between the aggressive factors (e.g. of acid, bicarbonate,
pepsin) and maintenance of the mucosal integrity through the endogenous defense mechanism.
Generally various non specific methods are used to restore these imbalances including regular
food intake, adequate rest, and avoidance of ulcerogenic agents (e.g. tobacco, alcohol and
coffee).Their aims are to attenuate and possibly block the gastric acid secretion or to enhance the
mucosal defense mechanisms. The latter can be achieved through increasing mucus production,
stabilizing the surface epithelial cells, or interfering with the prostaglandin synthesis. In addition
there are also drugs, such as pump inhibitors, histamine (H2)-antagonists, anti cholinergics and
antacids, used in the treatment of ulcer.
The H2 receptor is a G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) that activates the Gsadenylcyclase-
cyclic AMP-PKA pathway. The H2 Receptor antagonists inhibit acid production
by reversibly competing with histamine for binding to H2 receptors on the basolateral membrane
of parietal cells. Four different H2 –receptor antagonists, which differ mainly in their
pharmacokinetics and propensity to cause drug interactions, are available in the United States:
cimetidine (TAGAMET), Ranitidine (ZANTAC), famotidine (PEPCID),and nizatidine(AXID).
These drugs are less potent than proton pump inhibitors but still suppress 24-hour gastric acid
secretion by about 70%. We evaluated effects of ethanolic and aqueous extracts obtained from
Pithecellobium dulce seeds in animals using the different standard experimental models of
induced gastric ulcers. In case of Pylorus ligation model, The total acidity was decreased.
Circular and linear lesions were frequently observed in the stomach of all the control animals.
Administration of Pithecellobium dulce extracts resulted in a significant reduction in ulcer index
in dose dependent manner when compared to control, despite the availability of many
pharmaceutical products for the treatment of gastric ulcers in the market as mentioned above,
their successes were limited by presence of several adverse effects (e.g. anaphylaxis reactions,
gynecomastia, hematopoietic changes, thrombocytopenia, acute interstial nephritis,
nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity). Due to the reported side effects of available antiulcer drugs,
focused have been shifted towards natural products as the new sources of antiulcer agents. CONCLUSION: Here present study was carried out to investigate anti-ulcer activity of Ethanolic and
Aqueous extracts of Pithecellobium dulce seeds in pylorus ligation induced ulcer in the Wistar
albino strain rats. It has not produced any lethal effect up to the dose level of 2000mg/kg during
acute toxicity testing. The Aqueous extract of Pithecellobium dulce showed significant Anti
ulcer activity. Pithecellobium dulce belongs to the family Mimosoideae and the qualitative
photochemical study reveals the presence of saponins, sterols, glycosides, flavonoids, fixed oils
and fats, gums and mucilage.
The present study provided preliminary data for the first time that the seeds of
Pithecellobium dulce possess significant anti ulcer activity in animal models. It has a gastric anti
secretary effect that is comparable to reference drug Ranitidine. The anti ulcer activity is
probably due to presence of bioactive compounds like Flavonoids and sterol. The observation
justifies the ethanomedical uses of the plant as anti ulcer agent and as antacid in addition to its
nutritional values. Histopathological studies of the stomach in pylorus ligation models exhibit
normal architecture of stomach tissue. This protective effect might have been mediated by both
anti-secretary and cytoprotective mechanisms .Standard dose of Ranitidine and Extracts of
Pithecellobium dulce significantly decreased the gastric volume, total acidity, free acidity and
ulcer index. Among the extracts AEPD with 100mg/kg is more effective compared to EEPD
100mg/kg. So I concluded that my plant Pithecellobium dulce possessing Anti ulcer activity
according to the data and further research work can be carried out to different formulations.
However there is a shortage of clinical trial regarding its potency and efficacy
