Assessment of Gastroprotective Potential of Delonix regia (Boj Ex Hook) Raf against Ethanol and Cold Restrain Stress-Induced Ulcer in Rats

Purpose: To assess the gastroprotective potential of the stem bark ethanol extract of Delonix regia (EDR) on ethanol and cold restrain stress-induced ulcer in experimental rats. Methods: EDR (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, orally) was evaluated on ethanol and cold restrain stress-induced ulcer in experimental rats. In ethanol induced ulcer model, ulcer index, percent protection, reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO), cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) levels in stomach tissue were evaluated. In the cold restrain stress model, ulcer index, percent protection, and GSH levels were evaluated. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay of EDR was also performed. Results: EDR caused a significant (p < 0.05-0.001) decreased ulcer index in ethanol (61.33-76.00%) and cold restrain stress (47.34-84.28 %) models. The EDR caused a significant (p < 0.05 - 0.001) increase in SOD (0.20 - 0.27 U/mg protein, CAT (200 -270 μmole H2O2/mg of protein/minute), GSH (1.63 - 1.17 μg/mg protein) and reduction in nitric oxide (NO) level, pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-αand IL-6) levels and inhibition in neutrophil accumulation (p < 0.001) in ethanol-induced model. EDR exhibited significant antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 45.23 ± 3.23 μg/ml. Conclusion: The results suggest that EDR has gastroprotective effect in the two ulcer models and this may be due to its antioxidant effect.