Anti-Ulcer Activity of Tuber Extracts of Solanum tuberosum (Solanaceae) in Rats

Abstract Solanum tuberosum (Solanaceae) is a plant species widespread throughout India and world. S. tuberosum contains starch, sugar (glucose, sucrose and fructose), cellulose (10-20%), crude fibre, pectin substances (0.7-1.5% of dry weight), hemicelluloses (1%), fat (1.1%) and vitamin C. The proteins of S. tuberosum tuber comprised of about 60-70% globulin and 20-40% glutelin with no albumin. For external use, the grated raw S. tuberosum is applied locally in cases of arthritis, itching, neuralgia and mild burns. Therefore, the present study was aimed to assess the potential of S. tuberosum for the treatment of ulcers. Ranitidine is used as a standard referenceto evaluate anti-ulcer activity in models such as pylorus ligation model and stress-induced ulcers by cold water immersion. When alcoholic extract of tubers of S. tuberosum (AETST) and aqueous extract of tubers of S. tuberosum (AQETST) were subjected for LD50 study at the dose level of 2,000 mg/kg body weight. Preliminary phytochemical investigations revealed the presence of tannins, carbohydrates, sterols, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids and triterpenes in both the extracts. The dose was selected as low (100 mg/kg), medium (200 mg/kg) and high (400 mg/kg), and the doses of both the extracts significantly reduced the ulcer (P < 0.05*, 0.01** and 0.001***). The present study revealed that both the AETST and AQETST possessed anti-ulcer activity. Phytochemical constituents such as tannins, flavonoids and triterpenes have already been reported for their anti-ulcer activity. These phytochemical constituents were present in both the extracts and, hence, responsible for the observed activity.