Phytochemical analysis and gastro-protective effect of Stellaria media (L.) Vill. methanolic extract on piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer in Wistar rats

Abstract

Abstract Stellaria media Vill. is widely distributed throughout the world and traditionally used to treat inflammatory, respiratory, heart and gastrointestinal diseases. This study was designed to phytochemically characterize and investigate the anti-ulcer activity of methanol extract of S. media (SME) on piroxicam (PRX)-induced gastric ulcer in rats. The plant extract was subjected to qualitative as well as quantitative analysis (HPLC and FT-IR) to elucidate the phytochemical composition of the extract. DPPH radical scavenging assay was done to determine in vitro antioxidant capacity. In 14 days of animal study, PRX (30 mg/kg, i.g.) was co-administered with omeprazole (OMP; 20 mg/kg, i.g.) as standard gastroprotective drug and SME at 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg, i.g., respectively. The gastric pH, acid volume, acidity, ulcer score, hematological parameters and serum levels of oxidants/antioxidants were determined along with histopathological studies of gastric tissue. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of considerable phenolic and flavonoid contents which corroborated with a significant DPPH radical scavenging (IC50: 27.94 µg/mL) activity of extract. Administration of SME at 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg exhibited a dose-dependent gastroprotective effect evidenced by increased gastric pH and acidity but decreased gastric acid volume, decreased gastric ulcer score and ulcer index, reversed altered hematological parameters and oxidative stress markers (TOS, MDA, TAC and CAT). In addition, histopathological findings supported the aforementioned results. Conclusively this study suggests that Stellaria media possess promising gastroprotective activity against piroxicam-induced gastric ulcer.