PREVENTIVE AND CURATIVE PROPERTIES OF AQUEOUS AND METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF DISTEMONANTHUS BENTHAMIANUS STERM-BARK ON ACUTE AND CHRONIC GASTRIC ULCERS IN MALE RATS

Ateufack Gilbert*, Matah Marthe Vanessa Mba, Tadjoua Tchoumbou Herve, Yousseu Nana William, Dongmo Feudjio Rostand, Adjouzem Carine Flore, Atsamo Albert and Kamanyi Albert

ABSTRACT

Background: A number of studies have been carried out to determine the efficacy of herbal medicines in the treatment of gastric ulcer. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the preventive and curative properties of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Distemonanthus benthamianus stem-bark on experimentally induced gastric ulcers in male rats. Methods: The aqueous and methanolic extracts of Distemonanthus benthamianus were administered at the doses 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg to evaluate their effects on gastric ulcer induced models with ethanol, indomethacin and acetic acid in Wistar male adult rats, weighing between 180 and 220g. Histopathological examination and nitric oxide level were performed in sub-chronic acetic-acid induced gastric ulcers. Results: Aqueous extract at dose 500 mg/kg produced 99.98, 99.23, 98.74 and 100% inhibition in gastric ulcerations induced respectively by ethanol, indomethacin and acetic acid; while methanol extract at the same dose produced 99.94, 99.63, 100 and 100% inhibition on ulcerations induced respectively by the above ulcerogenic reagents. Histopathology analysis showed a complete regeneration of stomach layers in animals treated with both extracts at doses 250 and 500 mg/kg. Results also revealed a significant (p˂0.001) increase in nitric oxide (NO) level with methanol extract. Furthermore, a significant (p˂0.001) increase in mucus production was recorded in all evaluated gastric ulcer induced models. Conclusions: Study revealed that preventive and curative properties of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Distemonanthus benthamianus stem-bark could be due to cytoprotective mechanisms, increased mucus production, and also release of NO.

Keywords: Gastric Ulcers, Ulcerogenic reagents, Distemonanthus benthamianus extracts, curative and preventive.