Anti-Ulcerative Potential of Some Fruits and the Extracts

Concern about the effects of various foods on human health has risen significantly in recent years. Plant-based foods, including fruit and vegetables, are regarded as important for human health. It is believed that plant-based diets have positive effects on health due to their phytochemical components. Plant extracts that contain various phytochemicals have been used in a numbers of studies to assess their biological effect on health, but the precise roles of phytochemicals in human health are still unclear in many cases. There are many reports indicating that various plant extracts and related phytochemicals can act as ulcer preventing agents. Studies have shown that extracts of plants used in ayurvedic medicine (traditional medicine native to India) display a certain level of efficiency on gastric ulcer prevention in animals (Ajaikumar et al., 2005; Bhatnagar et al., 2005; Mishra et al., 2009). Moreover, extracts from vegetables, such as artichoke (Cynara Scolymus) leaf (Ishida et al., 2010), rocket or arugula (Eruca sativa) (Alqasoumi et al., 2009), Indian cluster bean ‘Guar’ (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) (Rafatullah et al., 1994), cabbage (Brassica oleracea) (Akhtar & Munir, 1989) and basil (Ocimum basilicum) (Akhtar & Munir, 1989), also have been reported to have certain effect on gastric ulcer prevention in rats. Studies on fruit extracts using experimental gastric ulcer in rodents, have revealed antiulcerative activity, for banana (Musa species) (Pannangpetch et al., 2001), pomegranate (Punica granatum) (Ajaikumar et al., 2005), dates (Phoenix dactylifera) (Al-Qarawi et al., 2005), cluster fig (Ficus glomerata) (Rao et al., 2008), prickly pear (Opuntia ficus indica) (Galati et al., 2003), Indian cherry (Cordia dichotoma) (Kuppast t al., 2009), dried papaya (Carica Papaya) (Rajkapoor et al., 2003) etc. There are various experimental models for gastric ulcers such as ethanol-, aspirin-, indomethacinor stress-induced gastric ulcers. We have used ethanol-induced gastric ulcer (or gastric mucosal injury) in rats to find effective extracts from underutilized fruits, including immature fruits. Among these underutilized fruits, we have found that Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis (Thouin) C. K. Schneider) extracts were the most effective against gastric mucosal injury. Extracts from European (normal) quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit also showed activity, but in our experiments, Chinese quince extracts were superior to the quince (cv. Smyrna) extracts on a same weight basis. Chinese quince and quince fruits have been used in traditional medicines in Asian and western countries, respectively. Chinese quince is believed to be native of China (Zhejiang province) and is now widely planted in Japan, China, and Korea. As for quince, the primary