Gastroprotective Effect of Combination of Hot Water Extracts of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari Stem Bark (Alyxia reinwardtii), and Sembung Leaf (Blumea balsamifera) Against Aspirin-Induced Gastric Ulcer Model Rats

Abstract

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari stem bark (Alyxia reinwardtii) and Sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera) are traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate gastroprotective effect of hot water extracts combination of those herbal against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. The combination consisted of fixed doses of Licorice 273 mg/kg BW and Sembung leaf 457.5 mg/kg BW, and also consisted of Pulasari stem in various doses i.e. 100 mg/kg BW (first group), 200 mg/kg BW (second and sixth group) and 300 mg/kg BW (third group). The fourth grup rats received sucralfate 360 mg/kg BW. Ten minute after seven consecutive days of drug administration, the rats were induced with aspirin 450 mg/kg BW except sixth group rats. The fifth group rats only received aspirin without any protective agents. The number and area of gastric ulcers were evaluated macroscopically. Whereas, histopatological observation was used for evaluation of mucosal damage score, and the number of eosinophils and mast cells. In the study, herbal extracts combination markedly exhibited protective effects indicated by less number and smaller area of gastric ulcers in comparison to those of aspirin group (P < 0.05). The score of mucosal damages were also decreased in herbal extracts combination groups. The number of eosinophils and mast cells of herbal combination groups were observed to be smaller than those of aspirin group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, herbal combination of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari stem bark (Alyxia reinwardtii) and Sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera) is potential to develop as a gastroprotective agent.

Phytochemical composition and health properties of Sembung plant (Blumea balsamifera): A review

“…Various experimental studies both in vitro and in vivo have reported the pharmacological activities of B. balsamifera, such as antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic. Table-2 [13,22,56,[62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80] summarizes some studies on the pharmacological activity of B. balsamifera.…”

“…Digestive disorders such as peptic ulcers are caused by an imbalance of aggressive factors (gastric acid and pepsin) and defense factors (mucosal secretion, bicarbonate secretion, and to mucosal epithelial regeneration) [69]. Some traditional plants, such as Sembung can be used as a medicinal ingredient for gastrointestinal disorders.…”

Commonly used medicinal plants in N. Mualcheng, Mizoram, India

“…Druce Blumea of different species like B. balsamifera is effectively used as traditional medicine in Indonesia, Myanmar and in other parts of Southeast Asia to treat peptic ulcers as this plant consists of flavonoids which help to increase the amount of gastric mucus glycoprotein and inhibition of prostaglandin production. 9 Rai and Lalramnghinglova (2010) reported the same practice of using vako (Thunbergia grandiflora, Figure 3) in cuts and wounds in other parts of Mizoram as it has an antiseptic property. This report also mentioned that decoction of the leaves is taken as diabetes medicine.…”

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Liquorice (G. Glabra L) in Treatment of Stress Induced Gastric Ulcer in Wistar Rats

“…One of the most potent candidate herb in the treatment of ulcers was Liquorice. 21 Many authors suggested Liquorice had a role in wound healing. 22 They applied Liquorice extract on the wound found encouraging results.…”

“…In a recent study, 6 the effect of Liquorice and a combination of other herbs namely, Pulasari (Alyxia reinwardtii), and Sembung (Blumea balsamifera) including a mixture of all these were tested in Gastric ulcer induced with Aspirin in rats. The researchers noted the gastric protective effects of these substances.…”