Antiulcer Potential of Cucumis melo Var. Momordica (Roxb.), Duthie & Fuller Fruits in Experimental Animal

Antiulcer activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Capparis zeylanica against chemically induced ulcers

Background

Peptic ulcer is the term which refers to acid peptic injury of the digestive tract, and it results in mucosal break reaching the submucosa. Leaves of Capparis zeylanica are used as counterirritant, rubefacient, as a cataplasm in piles, boils and swellings. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antiulcer activity of C. zeylanica ethanolic extract against chemically induced ulcers. The leaves were extracted with ethanol (50%) as solvent using hot perforation method. The extract was evaluated against acute and chronic ulcer models. Further, extract was evaluated for gastric autopsy of animals infected with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. The genes of rats were evaluated by gel electrophoresis method. Morphology of stomach was also studied after treatment with plant extract.

Results

Results exhibited that the area of ulcer was significantly reduced in both acute [naproxen-induced ulcer model (3.62 mm2), histamine-induced ulcer model (3.2 mm2) and ethanol-induced ulcer model (106.4 mm2)] and chronic [chronic naproxen-induced ulcer model (2.14 mm2), chronic histamine-induced ulcer model (0.16 mm2)]. The animals of naproxen-induced ulcer infected with H. pylori showed 91.48% reduction of ulcer area on 9th week after treatment with C. zeylanica extract (360 mg/kg). The rapid urease test and DNA observation revealed that no infection was present from 4th week after treatment with C. zeylanica extract (480 mg/kg). Morphological studies showed less conspicuous petechial marks and hemorrhages in stomach tissues after treatment with test drugs. Histopathological study revealed that C. zeylanica extract reduced stomach damages and eradicated H. pylori infections.

Conclusion

It can be concluded from the study that C. zeylanica possess antiulcer and anti-helicobacter activities.

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities of Cucumis melo var. momordica fruit extract on experimental animals

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue related to the irregular metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. It occurs due to insufficient insulin production and insulin action.Cucumis melopossesses several biological properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antihypothyroidism, and antiangiogenic activities. The objective of the present study was to determine the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities ofCucumis melovar.momordicafruit extract on experimental animals.

Result

Results show that treatment withC. melofruit extract and fraction caused a reduction in blood glucose levels.Cucumis melotoluene fraction (CMTF) exhibited a significant (*P< 0.05) reduction of blood glucose level on the 28th day, i.e., 122 mg/dL, in comparison with the positive control group (streptozotocin (STZ)). However, the extract ofC. meloshowed less significant results in comparison with CMTF. Triglyceride, LDL, and VLDL levels were increased chronically due to STZ and were significantly (*P< 0.05) restored to 84.16, 86.97, and 19.73, respectively, by CMTF in comparison with the positive control group (STZ in the dose of 55 mg/kg). The extract-treated groups also showed similar results as CMTF, but their efficacy was lesser than CMTF.

Conclusion

It is can be concluded thatC. melofruits can be used as an effective antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic drug.

Graphical abstract

The anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer activities and phytochemical investigation of Cucumis melo L. cv. Ismailawi fruits

This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of Cucumis melo L. cv. Ismailawi fruits, as well as the investigation of the phenolic content and lipoidal matter composition via high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry respectively. Both the petroleum ether and defatted methanol extracts of the fruit pulp showed 63.13% and 54.97% decrease in oedema volume respectively after 4 h in comparison to indomethacin standard drug. Both the petroleum ether extract and ethyl acetate fractions at a dose (200 mg/kg) showed significant anti-ulcer activity decreasing both ulcer number and severity in comparison to ranitidine as standard drug. Histopathological investigation further confirmed these results. Moreover; this is the first report for the investigation of the phenolic content and the lipoidal matter of Cucumis melo L. cv. Ismailawi fruits where methyl palmatate, gallic acid and rutin represented the major detected components.