Evaluation of In Vivo Antiulcer Activity of Hydro-Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Stem Bark of Ficus thonningii (Moraceae) on Rodent Models

Gastroprotective Activities of Aqueous and 80% Methanol Leaf Extracts of Stephania abyssinica (Quart.-Dill. and A. Rich.) Walp. (Menispermaceae) in Rats

Background

An ethnobotanical study showed that the leaf of Stephania abyssinica (S. abyssinica) is used for the treatment of gastritis, but there is no scientific investigation.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the gastroprotective activities of both aqueous and 80% methanol leaf extracts of S. abyssinica in experimental rats.

Methods

Decoction and maceration techniques were used to prepare aqueous and 80% methanol leaf extracts, respectively. The extracts were evaluated against pyloric ligation, indomethacin, and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer models at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. Negative control received 2% tween 80, while positive controls received 20 mg/kg of omeprazole and 100 µg/kg of misoprostol. Parameters, such as ulcer index, gastric mucin content, gastric juice volume, pH, and free and total acidity were measured.

Results

In the pyloric ligation induced gastric ulcer model, all doses of both extracts significantly reduced the ulcer index and gastric juice volume, while doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg exhibited a significant increment in mucus content and gastric juice pH as well as decrease in free and total acidity as compared to negative control. In indomethacin and ethanol induced gastric ulcer models, pretreatment with both extracts significantly reduced the ulcer index and enhanced gastric mucin content in a dose-dependent manner. Phytochemical screening of both extracts showed the existence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and coumarins with high contents of phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids in 80% methanol extract.

Conclusion

This study revealed that aqueous and 80% methanol leaf extracts of S. abyssinica possessed remarkable gastroprotective activities against experimentally induced gastric ulcer models, and this possibly justify the traditional use of S. abyssinica leaves to treat gastritis.

Metabolic Profiling of Heliotropium crispum Aerial Parts Using HPLC and FTIR and In Vivo Evaluation of Its Anti-Ulcer Activity Using an Ethanol Induced Acute Gastric Ulcer Model

This study explored the antiulcer potential of methanol extract and fractions of Heliotropium crispum roots against the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Metabolic profiling of H. crispum aerial parts using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of different metabolites with various functional groups. Meanwhile, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) revealed the presence of three main peaks assigned to myricetin, quercetin, and kaempferol. In vivo, antiulcer activity results showed that the disease control group displayed five tiny ulcers less than 2 mm in diameter in addition to two hemorrhagic streaks. However, in the standard control group, only one small ulcer was visible for the total methanol extract. Gastric tissues and contents were evaluated to determine many parameters such as ulcer score, ulcer index, percentage inhibition of ulcer, gastric pH, gastric juice volume, and acidity. Results were endorsed by histopathological evaluation; gastric pH and mucus content were significantly increased, but gastric juice volume was significantly decreased. All fractions showed a significant decrease in ulcer index and % inhibition except the n-hexane fraction, whose results were insignificant compared to the disease control group. Thus, it was concluded that H. crispum shows an antiulcer effect by decreasing gastric juice volume and acidity, whereas gastric pH and mucus contents were increased that is attributed to the synergistic action of its detected polyphenolic compounds.

PROXIMATE, PHYTOCHEMICALS, MINERALS, AND ANTINUTRITIONAL CONTENTS OF FICUS THONNINGII SEED

The proximate, phytochemicals, minerals, and anti-nutritional content of Ficus thonningii seed obtained from Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria were investigated. The proximate analysis revealed that the seed is abundant in ash (8.36 ± 0.77 %), protein (27.52 ± 0.17 %) and carbohydrate (40.02%) but contains low moisture (8.76 ± 0.06 %) and fibre (2.81 ± 0.09 %). The minerals analysis showed very high quantities of Ca (2067.50mg/100g), P (1985.40mg/100g), Mg (1184.10mg/100g), K (918.30mg/100g) S (192.50mg/100g), Al (236.60mg/100g), Fe (434.10mg/100g), Mn (39.30mg/100g), Cu (57.40mg/100g), and Zn (63.60mg/100g), Co (1.2mg/100g), Mo (1.10mg/100g) and Sn (3.40mg/100g). Phytochemicals analysis revealed that it contains more flavonoids (6.13 ± 0.02 g/100g) and phenolics (8.77 ± 0.01g/100g) than Saponins (1.73 ± 0.02 g/100g), tannins (4.37 ± 0.06 g/100g) and alkaloids (0.62 ± 0.01 g/100g). The study has shown that Ficus thonningii seed is highly nutritive with very high mineral content and low quantities of anti-nutrients which make it a good source of food for humans and animals. It also contains biologically active phytochemicals which could have medicinal uses.