Anti-ulcerogenic effects of Spartium junceum flowers on in vivo test models in rats

Flowers of Spartium junceum L. (Fabaceae) are used for the treatment of gas tric ulcers in Turkish folk medicine. Through bioassay-guided fractionation using chemical and chromatographical means and water immersion and restrai nt-induced stress ulcer model in rats, a saponin fraction was determined as the potent anti-ulcerogenic ingredient. The active fraction was also highl y effective in preventing ethanol- and pyloric ligation-induced gastric les ions as well as inhibiting gastric secretion volume, gastric pH and titrata ble acidity, but did not affect the hexosamine content of the gastric mucos a. A novel oleanen-type triterpenic saponin, named as spartitrioside, was i solated as the active principle by using chromatographical separation techn iques. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.