Gastroprotective activity of polyphenolic-rich extract of Potentilla mooniana

Context: Potentilla mooniana Wight. (Rosaceae) is a plant found in the Himalayan region where the root is traditionally used to treat stomach problems including gastric-ulcer. Objective: To scientifically validate the gastro-protective effect and derive the possible mechanistic activity of the ethanol root extract from P. mooniana (EPM). Materials and methods: The gastroprotective effect of EPM (100-400 mg/kg, p.o.) was evaluated on both the physical (Pyloric ligation, PL; Cold restrain stress, CRS) and chemical (absolute ethanol, EtOH; aspirin, ASP) ulcerogens induced ulceration in rats. The mechanistic activity of EPM was tested on various gastric-ulcer parameters, namely gastric pH, volume, acid-pepsin output, DNA content, histamine level, H+K+-ATPase activity, mucus content, microvascular permeability, antioxidant markers, and gastric-histopathological study. Results: EPM significantly reduces the ulcer score against all the four tested gastric-ulcer models. In the PL model, EPM showed significant reduction (p<0.05) in acid-pepsin output and cell shedding; however, no significant effect was observed on gastric volume, cell proliferation, stomach glandular weight, and histamine levels. EPM (400 mg/kg, p.o.) when compared with ulcer control showed significant increase in gastric pH by 41.6% and decrease in H+K+-ATPase activity by 47.73%. In addition, EPM showed significant increase in mucus content by 58.60% and a decrease in the microvascular permeability of Evans Blue by 85.00%, justifying its protective effects. Furthermore, EPM also showed significant antioxidant activity and histopathologically possessed excellent cytoprotective effect. Conclusion: The gastro-protective effect of EPM is attributed mainly to the defensive mechanism owing to the presence of a good quantity of polyphenolic components.