Gastroprotective potentials of aqueous extract of Persea americana seed against Aspirin-induced ulcer in Wistar rats

Abstract

The study was designed to evaluate the gastro-protective potential of aqueous seed extract of Persea americana on aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Thirty adult rats were randomly divided into six groups of five. Group 1 was not induced with aspirin while groups 2-6 received a single-dose of aspirin of 400 mg/kg bw to induce gastric ulcer. Groups 2 and 3 received water and omeprazole respectively; while groups 4, 5 and 6 received the aqueous extract (110, 220 and 440 mg.kg bw respectively) for 14 days. Ulcer index, gastric volume, gastric pH, total acidity, total carbohydrate, total protein, pepsin of gastric juice and antioxidant activity of the plant extracts were determined. The extract showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in ulcer index and total acidity in the extract-treated and the omeprazole-treated groups when compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the gastric juice volume and total protein of the gastric juice of all the extract-treated groups when compared to the control. There was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in malondialdehyde level in the gastric tissues of the extract-treated and an increase in the reduced Glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, activities compared to the control. The histology of the stomach tissues in the extract-treated groups showed slight and moderate ulceration when compared to the normal control group. The extract therefore has protective activity on aspirin-induced gastric ulceration in rats.