Antiulcerogenic Activities of the Extracts and Isolated Flavonoids of Euphorbia cuneata Vahl

The total alcohol extracts of Euphorbia cuneata Vahl.(Euphorbiaceae) were screened for antiulcerogenic activity using an ethanol-induced ulcer model at doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg. The extracts possessed antiulcerogenic activity in a dose-dependent manner. Four flavonoidal compounds were isolated and identified as naringenin, aromadendrin, apigenin and 4'-O-methoxy-luteolin-7-O-rhamnoglucoside, each demonstrating antiulcerogenic activity with curative ratios ranging from 75.78% to 88.23%. In addition, the alcohol extracts and isolated compounds were shown to scavenge the 1,1-diphenyl,2-picrylhydrazyl radical by different ratio, with the most effective being 4'-O-methoxy-luteolin-7-O-rhamnoglucoside (91.14%). The antioxidant activity of the alcohol extracts and the isolated compounds may explain the antiulcerogenic properties. No side effects were observed on either liver or kidney functions. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.