Al-Hikmah University Journal

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.