Phytochemical profile and anti-ulcer activities of extracts of unripen fruits of psidium guajava linn by ethanol in-duced ulcer method

Abstract

Psidium guajava L. is a small medicinal tree that is native to South America. It is popularly known as guava (family Myrtaceae) and has been used traditionally as a medicinal plant throughout the world for a number of ailments. The ulcer that is exposed to pepsin is referred to as peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are found in the lining of our stomach. Pepsin is normally present within the hydrochloric acid inside the stomach lining. The phyto active constituents like flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids, have been reported in several anti-ulcer literatures as possible gastro protective agents. Flavonoids, tannins and triterpenes are among the cytoprotective active materials for which anti ulcerogenic efficacy has been extensively confirmed. It was suggested that these compounds have been able to the stimulate mucus, bicarbonate and prostaglandin secretion, and counteract with the deteriorating effects of reactive oxidants in gastrointestinal lumen. These phyto constituents present in the extract could be the possible agents involved in the prevention of gastric lesions induced by ethanol-induced gastric ulcer. Psidium Guajava Linn showed a dose dependent curative ratio compared to ulcer control groups. The methanol extracts exhibited an inhibition percentage of 55.60% and PEPG extracts 42% and AQPG extracts 50.27% at doses of 400mg/kg, 400mg/kg and 500mg/kg doses respectively. The ulcer protective action of extracts at 400mg/kg was good to that of standard drug, Ranitidine, which exhibited an inhibition percentage of 72.97%.