Title:Evaluation of Pharmacognostical and Anti-Ulcer Potential of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd Seed in Aspirin-Induced Ulcer Rats
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Author(s): Nidhi Bisht, Divya Jain, Neeraj Bainsal*Chandan Sharma
Affiliation:
- University Institute of Pharma Sciences, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
Keywords:
Vernonia anthelmintica, anti-ulcer, aspirin-induced, pharmacognostic, seeds, Wistar rat.
Abstract:
Background: Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd., commonly known as Kalijiri, has been
used for the treatment of different ailments, including stomach aches, skin diseases, asthma, and
cough, and is popular as a powerful anthelmintic agent.
Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical
parameters along with the in-vivo antiulcer activity of the seeds of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.)
Willd.
Methods: The pharmacognostical evaluation included macroscopic and microscopic characterization
of the seed and powder of Vernonia anthelmintica (L.) Willd. Physicochemical parameters,
such as moisture content, ash values, and extractive values, were evaluated, and fluorescence analysis
was carried out. Phytochemical screening, including total flavonoid content (TFC) and total
phenolic content (TPC), was conducted, along with antioxidant analysis. The anti-ulcer activity of
ethanolic extract of V. anthelmintica seeds was also evaluated using an aspirin-induced ulcer model
by employing multiple biochemical and histopathological assessment parameters.
Results: The morphological characteristics of V. anthelmintica seeds demonstrated that the seed was
0.8-1 cm in length and 0.1-0 in width, with a bitter taste, whereas microscopical findings revealed the
presence of pericarp, endosperm, sclerenchymatous zone, parenchymatous zone, bundles of sclereids,
seed coat, and prismatic crystals. Moisture content and ash values, including total ash, acid-insoluble
ash, and water-soluble ash, were approximately 10.05%, 8.50%, 2.06%, and 4.35%, respectively. Extractive
values of different solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform, benzene, ethanol, and water) were
approximately 16.00%, 15.80%, 2.00%, 7.05%, and 1.06%, respectively. Moreover, fluorescence
analysis revealed a characteristic brown colour. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence
of phenolic, carbohydrates, proteins, flavonoids, saponins, diterpenes, steroids, and amino acids.
The TFC and TPC revealed that the ethanolic extract contained more phenolic content, whereas the
aqueous extract contained more flavonoids. The ethanolic extract exhibited 90% DPPH radical scavenging
activity at a concentration of 100 μg/mL, while the aqueous extract showed 85.71% activity at
the same concentration. In comparison, ascorbic acid demonstrated 94.32% scavenging activity at
40 μg/mL. The ethanolic extract of V. anthelmintica seeds at doses 200 and 400mg/kg showed a significant
decrease in the ulcer index values, gastric volume, and total acidity levels, whereas an increase
was observed in the SOD and GSH levels. The extract demonstrated a moderate effect on the levels of
Hb and total protein when compared with the disease control group. The histopathological findings revealed
the antiulcer potential of ethanolic extract of V. anthelmintica seeds at both doses.
Discussion: This study confirmed the identity, quality, and bioactive content of V. anthelmintica
seeds, highlighting strong antioxidant and significant antiulcer activity of the ethanolic extract. The
results support traditional use and suggest potential for developing patented herbal formulations,
encouraging further research on its therapeutic applications.
Conclusion: This research plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the gastroprotective potential
of V. anthelmintica. It encourages researchers to explore and further investigate its gastroprotective
properties across varying doses and alternative screening models other than those used in
this study.
