Journal of Ethnopharmacology and Toxicology
Peer Reviewed Open Access Journal
ISSN: 3048-5401
Submit Manuscript
Peer Reviewed Open Access Journal
ISSN: 3048-5401
Submit ManuscriptThis study aims to investigate the ulcer healing effects of freeze-dried leaf extracts of Rhus natalensis on Ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in Sprague Dawley rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats (40), 250-300g were randomly assigned into 5 groups each with 8 animals as follows: negative control (1 ml / 200 g ethanol), positive control (20 mg / kg Esomeprazole + 1 ml /200 g ethanol), normal control (normal saline), low dose (150 mg / kg + 1 ml / 200 g ethanol), and high dose (300 mg / kg + 1 ml/ 200 g ethanol). To induce ulcers, absolute ethanol was administered on the first day at a dose of 1 ml / 200 g body weight by oral gavage to all groups except the normal control. Treatments were administered 1 hour after ethanol administration and once daily up to the 6th day. The ulcer healing effects were assessed by determining the total ulcer area, pH, and total acidity of stomach contents, volume of stomach secretions, levels of GSH, and levels of malondialdehyde in gastric tissue, catalase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity in gastric tissue. The data was reported as the mean ± SEM. There was a significant reduction in the total ulcer area in the treatment groups. The results showed a significant increase in the pH of gastric secretions in the treatment groups and also a dose dependent reduction in the total acidity of gastric secretions of the same groups. In this study, there was a decrease in the volume of gastric secretions in the treatment groups as compared to the negative control which showed an increase in the volume of secretions. The study showed an increase in cellular antioxidant activity in the treatment groups by increased catalase activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). The study shows that Rhus natalensis possesses ulcer healing effects. The effects are potentially due to reduced acidity of gastric contents, increased pH of gastric contents, reduced volume of secretions, and increased activity of cellular antioxidant systems; catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione.
Rhus natalensis, ethanol-induced gastric ulcer, peptic ulcer disease
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