Original Articles
Sahar S. M. El Souda and Abdel
Abstract
The petroleum ether, chloroform, and 70% ethanol extracts from leaves of Cassia roxburghii DC., Were investigated for their antiulcerogenic activity using indomethacin as non steroidal – anti-inflammatory drug induced –ulcer in animal model at a dose 300mg/kg. The histopathological examination of gastric mucosa and duodenum showed potent antiulcerogenic effect for the petroleum ether extract followed by ethanol extract. In contrast the chloroform extract showed no gastroduodenal protection. In order to determine the biologically active compounds, phytochemical study of the bioactive petroleum ether extract was achieved by column chromatography, which allowed isolation of betulin, emodin and aloemodin. Structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. GC/Mass of fatty acids and unsaponifiable matters lead to the identification of thirteen fatty acids, the unsaturated fatty acids represent (47%) of the total fatty acids. Sterols represent 16% of the unsaponifiable mater. The monounsaturated diterpene alcohol phytol was the most dominant (40%).