Protective Effects of Polygonum viviparum L. Root and its Extracts Against Lipid-peroxidation Induced by Indomethacin in Rats

Polygonum viviparum, root has been used in the folkloric medicine for the treatment of a many diseases including gastrointestinal disorders. Powdered roots of Polygonum viviparum (PV) and its aqueous (PV-A) and ethanol (PV-E) extracts were evaluated for anti-ulcerogenic efficacy in rats with ulcer lesions in the glandular stomach induced by indomethacin (25 mg kg-1)subcutaneously, to rationalize the folkloric uses. The pretreatment of PV protected the experimental rats against gastric changes caused by indomethacin in a dose-dependent manner. PV-A and PV-E extracts (equivalent to 2.0 g kg-1) of the powder also inhibited the indomethacin-induced effects on gastric juice volume, pH, acid-output and ulcer index. PV, PV-A and PV-E showed highly significantly in vitro acid buffering and pepsin binding activities. The data indicates that PV and its extracts protect the gastric mucosa against indomethacin-induced gastric changes, may result from their lipid peroxidation/apoptosis inhibition.