Objective: To determine the potential antiulcer activity of methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves (MEMM) using various established rat models. Materials and Methods: Ten groups of rats were used and orally administered 10% DMSO (negative control), 100 mg/kg ranitidine (positive control) or MEMM (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) followed by gastric ulcer induction either using ethanol or indomethacin. The stomachs were collected and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic analyses. Results: MEMM exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antiulcer activity in the ethanol, but not in the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model. The percentage of antiulcer activity for 50–500 mg/kg MEMM ranged between 3 and 75%, respectively. The gross observations were supported by histological findings. MEMM also aggravated the indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, leading to an increase in ulcer area formation and ulcer score. Conclusion: The M. malabathricum leaves showed antiulcer activity, which could be attributed to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This requires further in-depth studies.

The present study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective activity of a methanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum leaves (MEMM) using two established rat models. Ten groups of rats (n=6) were given a once-daily administration of 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (negative control), 200 mg/kg silymarin (positive control), or MEMM (50, 250, or 500 mg/kg) for 7 days followed by induction of hepatotoxicity either using paracetamol or carbon tetrachloride. Blood samples and livers were collected for biochemical and microscopic analysis. Based on the results obtained, MEMM exhibited a significant (p<0.05) hepatoprotective activity against both inducers, as indicated by an improvement in the liver function test. These observations were supported by the histologic findings. In conclusion, M. malabathricum leaves possessed hepatoprotective activity, which could be linked to their phytochemical constituents and antioxidant activity; this therefore requires further in-depth studies.

The present study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective activity of the chloroform extract of D. linearis leaves (CEDL) using the paracetamol (PCM)-and carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4)-induced liver injury models in rats. The rats received dH 2 O (negative control), 200 mg/kg of silymarin (positive control) or CEDL (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 days and then were subjected to the hepatotoxic induction on the 7 th day. The samples (i.e. blood and liver) were collected and underwent biochemical and microscopical analysis, respectively. From the data obtained, both inducers caused significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of AST and ALT when compared to the control group, which were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by CEDL in a generally dose-dependent manner. These biochemical findings were supported by the histopathological analysis and histological scoring. In conclusion, CEDL possesses potential hepatoprotective activity, which could be associated with its flavonoid and tannin contents with the mechanisms of hepatoprotection linked to either its antioxidant or anti-inflammtory /immunomodulating activities. Further in-depth studies are required to identify the responsible bioactive compound.