J Appl Biomed 19:170-178, 2021 | DOI: 10.32725/jab.2021.015

Nwogo Ajuka Obasi1 *, Chinyere Aloke1, Stella Eberechukwu Obasi2, Chinedu Ogbonnia Egwu1, 3, Ademola Clement Famurewa1, Patience Nkemjika Ogbu1 1 Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ikwo, Nigeria 2 Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Unwana, Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Unwana, Nigeria 3 Paul Sabatier University Toulouse III, Department of Biochemistry, Toulouse, France

The numerous challenges and detrimental effects connected with the treatment of peptic ulcers in the world today calls for alternative attention. Ethnomedicinally, Dialium guineense pulp (DAGP) has numerous pharmacological activities. This study investigated the anti-ulcer activities of Dialium guineense pulp on gastric mucosa injury induced with aspirin in albino Wistar rats. DAGP extract was orally administered at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg bw (mg per kg of the body weight) per day for 3 or 7 days followed by 400 mg/kg bw oral aspirin administration. Ulcer indices were determined, followed by a biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzymes using gastric mucosal tissue from the stomach. Student's t-test was used to compare significant differences among groups of animals at P ≤ 0.05. The results showed that Dialium guineense pulp caused a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in the ulcer index in aspirin induced rats. This decrease in ulcer index is dose dependent and 1000 mg/kg bw per day caused the highest decrease in 7 days. The results showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in lipid peroxidation and a decrease (P ≤ 0.05) in antioxidant enzymes activities in the aspirin-induced ulcerated rats. Oral administration of DAGP increased antioxidant enzymes activities and decreased injury in the gastric mucosa in ulcer induced rats. Therefore, this study showed that DAGP exhibited anti-ulcer potential and that the gastrointestinal protection may be through the scavenging action of free radicals by its constituent antioxidants. Thus, Dialium guineense pulp has ameliorative medicinal potential for the curing of gastric disorders.

Keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; Aspirin; Dialium guineense pulp (DAGP); Ethnomedicine; Gastric ulcer Grants and funding:

There was no external funding received for this research.

Conflicts of interest:

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Ajuka Obasi N, Aloke C, Obasi SE, Ogbonnia Egwu C, Clement Famurewa A, Nkemjika Ogbu P. Protective effects of Dialium guineense pulp on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury in albino rats. J Appl Biomed. 2021;19(3):170-178. doi:10.32725/jab.2021.015.

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