Pharmacological mechanism of antiulcer activity of chromatographic Fraction B obtained from Acacia nilotica seedpods in experimental rats

Abstract

Acacia nilotica (Lam) is an important multipurpose tree with many indigenous uses. It is most widely found in Northern Nigeria, tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is used therapeutically to alleviate and manage many illnesses. Acacia nilotica seedpod is used in local traditional medicine to treat gastric-related disorders. The present study was aimed at evaluating the possible mechanism of gastroprotection of chromatographic fraction B derived from Acacia nilotica n-butanol partitioned extract using ethanol for ulcer induction. Chromatographic fractionation of the n-butanol solvent partitioned extract yielded three different fractions (FA, FB, and FC). The possible mechanism of action of FB was assessed by investigating the involvement of endogenous nitric oxide, non-protein sulfhydryl group, and prostaglandin. The ulcer index of ulcerated rats pre-treated with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) which is a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and subsequently administered with Fraction B was not significantly higher (p>0.05) from rats in the ulcerated group. Similarly, Pre-treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), a blocker of endogenous sulfhydryl to ethanol-induced ulcerated rats that were treated with chromatographic FB gave an ulcer index that was not significantly different (p>0.05) from the ulcerated control group. However, prostaglandin synthesis inhibition by pretreatment with indomethacin did not affect the gastroprotective activity of FB. The study concludes that the observed anti-ulcerogenic activity exhibited by chromatographic Fraction B of Acacia nilotica n-butanol partitioned extract is possibly due to the increase in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and endogenous sulfhydryl group.