Abstract
The reduction of aggressive factors such as gastric acid is considered a key target of gastrointestinal protection. We investigated the antisecretory effect of the aqueous bark extract of E. utile, a Nigerian traditional medicinal preparation used for ulcers. Male rats were anesthetized and cannulated for intragastric perfusion of saline and test agents as well as for infusion of histamine into the jugular vein. Gastric effluents were collected every 30 min and 10 ml aliquots were titrated against 0.01 N NaOH using phenol red indicator. Gastric acidity was deduced from titre values. Histamine in saline was infused for 2 h at a rate of 1 x 10(-4) g kg-1 min -1 to stimulate acid secretion. In one set of animals, cimetidine in saline was simultaneously perfused intragastrically for 2 h at the rate of 2.5 x 10(-3) g kg(-1) h(-1). Similarly, rats in other sets were simultaneously perfused intragastrically with either the aqueous fresh bark extract of E.utile or the decolorized extract for 2 h at a rate of 1.5 x 10(-3) g kg(-1) h(-1). The extract was also perfused in rats that had established peak gastric acid output with prior infusion of histamine. Mean basal acid output per 0.5 h was 20.2 ± 1.9 mEq. Peak measurement fluctuated within a range of 114 - 117 mEq 0.5h(-1) and was maintained for more than 5 h. Cimetidine or E. utile prevented the rise to peak output that histamine produces. Using the 2-tailed paired t-test, the inhibitory effects of either cimetidine or E. utile was significant (p<0.05) at 60 min. E. utile significantly caused greater inhibition of histamine stimulated gastric acid output than cimetidine at 120 min (p<0.05). When the extract was given after establishment of peak output, the gastric acidity dramatically fell to below the basal level. The aqueous bark extract of E. utile contains one or more active component(s) that can be developed as antisecretory medication for hypersecretory states or for protection of the compromised gastrointestinal mucosa.
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