Protective Role of Methanolic Extract of Gomphrena Celosioides Leaves on Acidified Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the methanol extract of Gomphrena celosioides leaves on acidified ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in male Wistar rats. Methanol extract of G.celosioides leaves was administered at 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage and control group received 50mg/kg cimetidine for 14 days. In vivo antioxidant enzymatic activity, ulcer parameters and histological evaluation of gastric mucosa were assessed. Administration of acidified ethanol decreased the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the untreated ulcerated group with an increase in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO). A decrease in the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) was observed in the untreated ulcerated group. However, post-treatment with either the extract or cimetidine showed a concentration-dependent increase in the activities of SOD, GPx, and the levels of GSH with concomitant decrease in levels of LPO and the activity of XO. The histopathology of the gastric mucosa from rats in the untreated ulcerated group showed sections of leucocyte infiltration and disruption in the epithelial layer, lamina propria, muscularis mucosa and muscular layer which was restored in ulcerated rats previously treated with G.celosioides leaves. The results indicate G. celosioides leaves have profound antiulcer properties and can protect the gastric mucosa from ethanol-induced gastric lesions. The antiulcer properties of the plant might be mediated through its free radical scavenging activity.