Ethanolic Extract of Nauclea latifolia (African Peach) Protects Against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury in Rats

Abstract

Objective: Nauclea latifolia is widely used in folk medicine in Nigeria and
some West African countries. In vivo study was conducted to investigate the
gastroprotective effects of ethanolic leaf extract of N. latifolia (EENL) on
ethanol-induced gastric ulcerated rats. Methods: Gastric mucosal ulceration
was induced experimentally in Groups 2 to 5 rats using ethanol. Five groups
of rats were orally pretreated with 3% Tween-80 only as vehicle group, 3%
Tween-80 as ulcer group, 20 mg/kg of omeprazole as positive group, 250
and 500 mg/kg of EENL as the test groups, respectively before ulcer
induction. Gastric secretion parameters and ulcerated areas were assessed.
Results: Pretreatment with EENL showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction
in gastric volume and ulcer index while the pH of gastric content increased
significantly (P < 0.05) in rats with ethanol-induced ulcer. Ulcer group
exhibited significantly severe mucosal injury and EENL or omeprazole
offered significant (P < 0.05) protection against gastric mucosal ulceration.
Conclusion: The study suggests that EENL has a protective action against
gastric ulcers induced by ethanol in Wistar rats. The protective effect might
be mediated via antisecretory and cytoprotective mechanisms