Anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity of the extract from Alhagi maurorum (camelthorn)

Gastric hyperacidity, gastro inflammation and ulcer are very common diseases causing human suffering these days. Gastric irritation mechanism is still very poorly understood as mentioned in many scientific articles. Alhagi maurorum (camelthorn) is considered a medicinal plant with its prospective potent flavonoids. GC–MS spectrum has found three flavone structures (2-phenyl-1,4-benzopyrone derivatives) with rate more than 50% in the ethanolic plant extract. In rat experiment, ethanolic A. maurorum extract (oral daily 100 mg/kg body weight) and ranitidine the standard ulcer drug (oral daily 100 mg/kg body weight) were treated rats to protect against administration of aspirin ASP (oral 200 mg/kg body weight) for two times through the 10 days. Some rats were sacrificed after first and second aspirin administrations and the rest were sacrificed in the end of the experiment. Gastro fluid volume has been decreased in ASP group, and acid output was decreased for plant extract followed by ranitidine. Ranitidine and plant extract protect liver enzymes, oxidation status (MDA and GSH), fucosidase tumor marker and risk lipid ratio. No ulcer patterns have been shown in the histopathological study, but some inflammation in the gastric wall and vascular change dilatation of blood vessels were detected. More studies should be demonstrated potent natural plant extracts and their active components against gastro inflammation and ulcers.