Antiulcer activity of Garcinia indica fruit rind (kokum berry) in rats

Garcinia indica Choisy (Family: Guttiferae/Clusiaceae) is a slender evergreen tree endemic to the west coast of India. The dried rind of the fruit of Garcinia indica known as “kokum” is an Indian spice and a food additive. Many therapeutic effects of the fruit have been reported in literature. The present study evaluates the antiulcer activity of the aqueous extract of Garcinia indica fruit rind (GIE) against absolute ethanol- (necrotizing agent), aspirin- (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and histamine- (gastric secretion stimulator via H₂ receptor) induced ulcers in rats. GIE (400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg) was administered orally to the overnight fasted rats, 1 h prior to the absolute ethanol/aspirin/histamine challenge. The ulcer index, gastroprotective potential, status of the antioxidant enzymes {superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR)} along with reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation were studied in all the three models. Pre-treatment with GIE showed a dose-dependent decrease in the ulcer index in all three models. GIE, at both doses, elicited significant antioxidant activity by attenuating the ulcer elevated levels of MDA and restored the ulcer-depleted levels of GSH, SOD, CAT, GPx and GR. In conclusion, GIE possesses potent antiulcer activity, which may be attributed to an underlying antioxidant activity.