Characterization of Flavonoids and Saponins from Gleditsia triacanthos by LC-ESI/MS/MS Analysis: Pharmacological Assessment of the Anti-hyperglycemic and Anti-ulcerogenic Activities of G. triacanthos methanolic Fruit Extract and its n-Butanol Fraction

Introduction: Gleditsia triacanthos is known to possess various pharmacological activities. Objective: The composition of n-butanol fraction of Gleditsia triacanthos methanolic seedless fruit extract was identified from the LC-ESI/MS/MS spectra. Total methanolic extract of the seedless G. triacanthos fruits (MEGT) and its n-butanol fraction (BFGT) at three dose levels 70, 140 and 280 mg/kg were studied for their anti-diabetic and anti-ulcerogenic effects. Materials and Methods: The anti-diabetics properties of MEGT and BFGT were orally assessed in streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg; i.p.)-induced hyperglycemic rats. Their anti-ulcerogenic activities were also evaluated in ethanol-induced peptic ulcer in rats. Results: Two phenolic acids, five flavonoids as well as four saponins were identified from BFGT. Both MEGT and BFGT showed high potential in decreasing the elevated serum glucose, total triglycerides and total cholesterol levels in rats, dose dependently, comparable with the anti-diabetic reference drug; gliclazide (Glz; 10 mg/kg; p.o.). They also showed an elevation insulin and α-amylase serum levels. On the other hand, MEGT and BFGT showed significant ulceroprotective activities through decreasing both number and severity of ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats, dose dependently, comparable with the anti-ulcer reference drug; ranitidine (20 mg/kg; p.o.) with MEGT at 280 mg/kg showing highest activity. Conclusion: From all the previous results, it can be concluded that the observed pharmacological properties are attributed to the augmented activities of the saponin and flavonoidal content of G. triacanthos fruits.