Free radical-scavenging and H+, K+-ATPase inhibition activities of Pithecellobium dulce

The free radical-scavenging property and the inhibitory action on H+, K+-ATPase activity of aqueous (AEPD) and hydroalcoholic (HAEPD) fruit extracts of Pithecellobium dulce (PD) were screened in various in vitro models. HAEPD showed the greatest free radical-scavenging activity in all the experimental models. Further, HAEPD has shown a potent H+, K+-ATPase inhibitory activity and comparable to that of Omeprazole, the antiulcer drug. HPLC chromatogram of HAEPD was found to contain rich quantity of phenolic compounds and revealed the presence of flavonoids - quercitrin, rutin, kaempferol, naringin, daidzein. Thus HAEPD was found to possess a good antioxidant capacity when compared to AEPD. The study indicates that PD can be screened for antiulcer activity, since overexpression of H+, K+-ATPase results in gastric ulceration. So the free radical-scavenging and antiacid secretory activities of PD may be claimed for its traditional consumption for gastric complications. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.