Histochemical Studies of the Efficacy of an Anti-Ulcer Herbal Mixture on the Gastrointestinal Tract of Albino Rats
O. A. Adediran *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
O. G. Avwioro
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
D. E. Ibikunle
Department of Pathology, Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo—State, Nigeria
A. G. Funsho-Agun
Department of Medical Laboratory, St David’s Hospital, Owo, Ondo—State, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objectives: The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and toxic effect of an anti-ulcer herbal mixture.
Method: Quantitative phytochemical analysis was carried out on the ethanol extract of the herbal mixture. The control group in the acute toxicity study received 2 ml of distilled water; other doses were 1 g/kg, 2 g/kg, 4 g/kg, 6 g/kg and 8 g/kg per body weight for 7 days. Rats were sacrificed 1hour after oral administration of 1 ml absolute ethanol and Gastrointestinal Tract taken for histological assessment. The anti-ulcerogenic activity was investigated by administering 2 ml of distilled water to control group of albino rats, omeprazole 20 mg/kg (reference group) and 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg of the anti-ulcer herbal mixture to the test groups for 14 days and ulcers were induced in the rats by oral administration of 1 ml absolute ethanol.
Results: secondary metabolites like flavonoids, saponins, tannins, alkaloids and anti-oxidant like phytic acid and oxalate were quantitatively present. There was no death up to an acute maximum dose of 8 g/kg of the herbal mixture. The Pre-treatment groups of animals both in gross examination and histopathological assessment exhibited significant protection from ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury comparable with omeprazole group.
Conclusion: the study has shown that the extract from the herbal mixture could significantly protect the gastric mucosa against ethanol-induced ulcer.
Keywords: Anti-ulcer herbal mixture, phytochemicals, toxicity, ulcer, gastrointestinal tract