Gastroprotective Effects of Inulae Flos on HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Inulae Flos, the flower of Inula britannica L., is used as a dietary supplement, beverage, and medicine in East Asia. In this study, we evaluated the gastroprotective effects of Inulae Flos extract (IFE) against gastric mucosal lesions induced by hydrochloric acid (HCl)/ethanol in rats and explored its potential mechanisms by measuring antioxidant enzyme activity, mucus secretion, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels. Pretreatment with IFE at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited gastric lesions in HCl/ethanol-treated rats. IFE increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and the levels of glutathione and PGE2 in gastric tissues. The administration of IFE also significantly increased the gastric wall mucus contents in HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions. These findings suggest that IFE has gastroprotective effects against HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions and exerts these effects through increased antioxidant levels and gastric mucus secretion. Inulae Flos may be a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcers.

Antioxidant potentials of the extracts from 14 selected medicinal plants

Most of the medicinal plants possess interesting antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of some medicinal plants from Turkey, such as Anthemis tinctoria L. (Compositae), Inula britannica L. (Compositae), Malabaila secacul Banks & Sol (Apiaceae), Zosima absinthifolia (Vent) Link (Apiaceae), Thymus sipyleus Boiss. (Lamiaceae), Phlomis armeniaca Willd. (Lamiaceae), Sideritis galatica Bornm. (Lamiaceae), Sedum acre L. (Crassulaceae), Potentilla erecta Uspenski ex Ledeb. (Rosaceae), Digitalis lamarckii Ivan (Scrophulariaceae), Glaucium grandiflorum Boiss. & Huet var. grandiflorum (Papaveraceae), Fumaria asepala Boiss. (Papaveraceae), Centranthus longiflorus Stev. (Valerianaceae), Allium rotundum L. (Amaryllidaceae). The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of the 14 species were screened by using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion (SO) radical scavenging, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays. The methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Potentilla erecta have the highest DPPH scavenging activity (IC50=0.014 and 0.03 mg/mL, respectively). The maximum inhibition of LPO has been exhibited by ethyl acetate extract of Glaucium grandiflorum var. grandiflorum (IC50=0.34 mg/mL) followed by methanol extracts of T. sipyleus (IC50=0.38 mg/mL). The methanol extract of A. rotundum demonstrated the highest SO activity (IC50=0.11 mg/mL). In conclusion, these extracts have a high potential for antioxidant activity may be considered to use free radical-related diseases.

Identification and determination of ascorbic acid, free organic acids and tannic substances in the grass of Inula L. genus species

The level of studying of Inula L. genus species, growing on the territory of Ukraine, is insufficient today. The study of chemical composition, accumulation of biologically active substances, pharmacological action of investigated grass species’ extracts of Inula L. genus of Ukrainian flora are of current interest. The aim of the work is making qualitative and comparative analysis of ascorbic, organic acids and tannic substances content in the raw material of investigated species of Inula L. genus (Inula britannica L. and Inula helenium L.). Quantitative determination was carried out by volume titration method. The presence of ascorbic acid, organic acids and tannic substances in the raw material of Inula L. genus investigated species was established with the help of paper chromatography and thin-layer chromatography methods. The quantitative determination of total organic acids was carried out according to XI edition of State Pharmacopoeia methods in terms of malic acid. Water extracts were studied for the tannins presence in raw material of Inula L. genus investigated species. Compounds identification was carried out through chemical reactions in accordance with Ukrainian State Pharmacopeia. The results obtained showed the perspective of further study of the biological activity of Inula britannica L. and Inula helenium L.