Abstract:
Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn (Family: Cucurbitaceae), locally known as Dummella is
commonly found in Asian countries including Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, the aerial parts of
Trichosanthes cucumerina (T.C) are used as a remedy for gastric ulcers. In a previous
study, it was found that the ethyl acetate fraction of hot water extract of T.C aerial parts
(EAF; 75 mg/kg) possesses marked gastroprotective properties as evidenced by its
potential to inhibit the formation of gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol in rats. The
aim of the present study was to evaluate the mode of gastroprotective activity mediated by
EAF on production of (a) histamine (b) mucus in stomach (c) acidity and (d) volume of
gastric juice.
Forty male and female Wistar rats were divided into five groups with equal male female
ratios and maintained under standard conditions. For investigating the antihistamine effect,
groups 1-3 were orally administered EAF (75 mg/kg), reference drug Clopheniramine
(0.40 mg/kg) and distilled water (control) respectively. After 1 hour histamine
dihydrochloride (200 μg/mL) was subcutaneously injected and the area of the wheal formed
measured. Effects of EAF on gastric acidity, volume of gastric juice and mucus content
were evaluated using groups 4-5 against a distilled water control using standard protocols.
EAF showed potent anti-histamine activity with a significant (p≤ 0.05) reduction (25.6 %) in
the wheal area of the rats when compared with the control. Administration of the EAF
significantly (p≤ 0.05) increased the amount of mucus produced by the rat gastric mucosa
(control vs treatment: 198.6 ± 9.2 vs 402.1 ± 5.8 μg/stomach). Further, compared with the
control, rats treated with EAF showed a significant (p≤ 0.05) reduction in free acidity (45 %)
and total acidity (48 %) in the gastric juice. pH of the gastric juice increased from 3.2 to 6.1.
However, there was no significant difference in the volume of gastric juice. In conclusion,
EAF mediates gastroprotection via inhibiting histamine production and decreasing the
acidity of gastric juice and enhancing mucus content in stomach.
Keywords: Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn, gastroprotection, antihistamine effect, gastric
juice, Wistar rats
Acknowledgement: National Research Council (NRC) Grant
