Induced Secretion Of Pepsin-Rich Gastric Juice In The Rat By The Crude Extract From Elaeophorbia drupifera Leaves: A Dual Pathway Mechanism

Abstract

Ninety male white Wistar rats (200 - 320g) were fasted for 48 hours, and used in the experiments for the collection of gastric juice according to the method of Shay et al, 1954. The extract (2.5 - 200 mg/kg) increased the secretion of gastric juice which was low in volume but rich in pepsin concentration. The adrenergic drugs dihydroergoergotoxine (hydergine) (1.25 mg/kg) and phentolamine (1.5 mg/kg) both also increased gastric secretion, which were high in volume, titratable acidity and total acid output but low in pepsin concentration. When the extract (20 mg/kg) was given in combination with either of the two sympatholytic drugs, the pepsin concentration in the juice was richer than that evoked by either of the two drugs alone. Also, atropine-extract combination significantly (P<0.01) increased gastric juice secretion when compared to that produced by atropine alone. Similar increase in acid secretion was observed when cimetidine-extract combination was administered and compared to that produced by cimetidine alone. We suggest a dual pathway mechanism of action for the E. drupifera leaf extract-induced secretion of gastric juice. One of which may be mediated by the muscarinic cholinoceptors and the other via histamine H₂-receptor subtype.

Key words: Elaeophorbia drupifera; gastric juice, muscarinic- and histaminergic-receptors

Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 53-59