Anti-Ulcerogenic Potential of Aqueous Extract of Securinega virosa Leaf in Indomethacin-Induced Ulcerated Rats

The anti-ulcerogenic activities of Securinega virosa aqueous leaf extract on gastric ulcer induced with indomethacin in albino rats were studied. Thirty rats weighing 120 - 200 g were grouped into six groups of five rats each. All groups except the uninduced-untreated (group A) were starved for 24 hours prior to indomethacin administration. After 4 hours of 30  mg kg-1 b.w. indomethacin administration, the groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) received once daily oral doses of distilled water (5ml kg-1 b.w.), cimetidine 60  mg kg-1 (b.w.) and the S. virosa extract at doses of 35, 70 and 140  mg kg-1 b.w. respectively for 11 days. At the end of the treatment, animals in groups B, C, D, E and F were starved for 18 hours then sacrificed. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) decreased gastric secretion volume, mean ulcer index, total acidity, total protein and pepsin secretion relative to the induced-untreated rats. The extract significantly (p < 0.05) increased the gastric pH and total carbohydrate content relative to the induced-untreated. These results were similar to those achieved by treatment with cimetidine. Catalase and SOD activities in the 35, 70 and 140 mg kg-1 bw S. virosa extract-treated groups were increased significantly (p < 0.05) over the untreated group. Similarly, the extract reversed the indomethacin-induced decrease in reduced glutathione level (GSSH) and the increase in malondialdehyde concentration in the serum. The histological analysis showed positive effect of the extract on the indomethacin-induced ulceration. It was concluded that the extract has anti-ulcerative and antioxidant activity in indomethacin-induced ulcerative rats.