Effects of aqueous extract of Adansonia digitate leaves on indomethacin induced gastric secretions in Wistar rats

Abstract

Background: Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid at a concentration of approximately 160 mmol/L or pH 0.8. The principal stimulants  of acid secretions are Histamine, released from enterochrommaffin like (ECL) cells, Gastrin, released from G cells and Acetylcholine (ACh),  released from postganglionic enteric neurons. There are a number of uncommon conditions in which gastric acid secretion is abnormally  high and ulcers develop. The aim of this study is to determine the gastro-protective effects of aqueous extract of Baobab leaves  (Adansonia digitata l.) on indomethacin induced gastric secretion in Wistar Rats.

Methods: A total of 30 rats were randomly distributed  into six groups of five Wistar rats each. Group 1 serve as control and receive distilled water only, Group 2 serve as ulcerated group and  receive 50mg/kg of indomethacin (IND), Group 3 receive 100mg/kg cimetidine (CMD) for 14 days before ulcer induction, Group 4, 5 and 6  receive 100mg/kg, 150mg/kg and 200mg/kg aqueous extract A. digitata l. (A.D) for 14 days before IND administration respectively. IND  (50mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to each group after 48 h of fasting to induce gastric secretion. At the end of the  experiment, the pyloric portion of the stomach was ligated and after 5 h the stomachs were opened along the greater curvature and  gastric juice was collected. Also gastric pH, total acidity, gastric juice volume and pepsin concentration were determined. Data were  analysed using IBM SPSS version 22.

Results: Pre-treatment with CMD and aqueous extract of A.D leaves significantly increases the  gastric pH (P<0.05) compared to controls. Total acidity and pepsin concentration were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in rats pre-treated  with CMD and A.D extract groups compared to controls respectively. At low dose (100mg/kg AD) of the extract there was significant  increase (P<0.05) in gastric juice volume compared to the controls.

Conclusion: Aqueous extract of A.D significantly decreases the effects  of aggressive factors in gastric juice which conclude the gastro-protective effect of the extract.