Evaluation of anti-ulcer and ulcerative colitis of Sonchus oleraceus L.

Sonchus oleraceus L. was evaluated for its gastro antiulcerogenic and anti-ulcerative colitis activities Different extracts and fractions from Sonchus oleraceus aerial parts and roots were evaluated at different dose; total alcohol extracts of aerial parts SA and roots SR were evaluated doses 250 & 500 mg/kg, While Successive extracts (SAL, SRL, CSA, CSR, BSA & BSR) were evaluated at dose of 150 mg/kg. Absolute ethanol-induced ulcer model was used for evaluation of the anti-ulcerogenic activity. The root extract showed promising antiulcerogenic activity as the total alcohol extract of the root SR (500 mg/kg) produced 88.5% protection from control ulcer which is significantly more effective than the standard drug omeprazole (20 mg/kg), in addition, the butanol fraction of the root extract BSR also produced 76.66% protection from control ulcer. On the other hand, the aerial parts total extract SA showed low antiulcerogenic activity in both tested doses (250 & 500 mg/kg) as it produced 25% & 28.33% protection from control ulcer respectively. Only the butanol fraction of the aerial parts extract BSA showed promising activity 54.16%. In the acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis model, among the investigated extracts of Sonchus oleraceus; only the total extract of the aerial parts (SA) at dose 500 mg/kg showed strong anti-ulcerative colitis activity and this activity is followed by the activity of the butanol and chloroform fractions of the aerial parts, they produced 77.28%, 57.4% & 47.68% protection from control colitis respectively. The standard drug dexamethasone produced 63.36% protection from control colitis. The total alcohol extracts SR & SA showed no alteration on liver and kidney functions and these extracts are safe up to 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of the investigated extracts revealed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, unsaturated sterols, proteins and lactones which could be responsible for the activities.

Experimental and clinical antihypertensive activity of Matricaria chamomilla extracts and their angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity.

Three different extracts of Matricaria chamomilla L. were evaluated for their antihypertensive activity, these extracts were total alcohol extract (Extract 1), oil extracted (Extract 2), and water lifted after oil extraction (Extract 3). Quantitative and Qualitative analyses were carried out for all extracts. The 3 extracts were proved to be safe for human use. A single oral administration of the plant extracts (200 mg/kg) decreases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure of normotensive rats after 1, 1.5, and 2 hr. Furthermore, groups treated with the evaluated extracts (100 & 200 mg/kg) or Captopril (20 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in the elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Extract 3 showed the most antihypertensive activity. Serum biochemical parameters and lipid profile levels of treated groups were improved in comparison with induced-hypertensive untreated rats. In evaluation of oxidative damage parameters Glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in some organs, the investigated extracts or captopril restored the amount of reduced Glutathione in tissues in addition to an increase in the activity of the SOD after a significant depletion of SOD activity. In the clinical study, there was a significant dose dependent decrease in Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate compared with their basal values in both normotensive and hypertensive human volunteers after oral administration of Matricaria chamomilla beverages.