Effects of Bambara Nut (Vigna subterranean) on Basal and Stimulated Gastric Acid Secretion due to Histamine, Pentagastrin and Carbachol in rats

Abstract

The seed extracts of V. subterranean (Bambara nuts) have many therapeutic applications in folkloric medicine owing to their effective secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, resins, and glycosides (Andzouana et al., 2014). The infusions and decoctions of the seeds are used to treat venereal diseases, diarrhoea, cataract, beriberi and polymenorrhea (Brink and Belay, 2006; Basu et al., 2007). The raw seeds are chewed to alleviate nausea and vomiting in pregnant women. V. Subterranea seed extracts have been shown to possess some biological properties such as antioxidant and hepatoprotective (Nyau et al., 2015; Iweala and Elekwa, 2001). In spite of multi‐functional properties of V. subterranea, its gastroprotective effect has not been fully explored. This study was carried out to examine the effects of V. Subterranea on basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion (GAS) in the Wistar rats. Each group of rats consisting of 5 rats (180–210g) was treated with aqueous extract of V. Subterranea (150 mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 400mg/kg) orally for 21 days. The animals were handled in accordance with guide for the care and use of laboratory animals (NIH, 2011). At the last day of the treatment, the rats were fasted for 24 hours, anaesthetized with ketamine. GAS (mEq/l) induced by histamine, carbachol and pentagastrin administration were assessed by the continuous perfusion technique using phenolphthalein as indicator. Data obtained were expressed as the Mean ± SEM) and analyzed using one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Graph Pad prism 5. The differences in mean were considered significant at p≤ 0.05. The aqueous extract of V. Subterranea significantly decreased (p<0.05) GAS induced by the histamine, carbachol and pentagastrin in a dose‐dependent manner over 80 minutes period in all the treated groups, although at varying rates. The gastroprotective action of V. Subterranea may be multifactorial that may include an anti‐secretory action.Support or Funding InformationWe wish to thank Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria for their support.Effect of Histamine on BambaraFigure 1Effect of Carbachol on BambaraFigure 2Effect of Pentagastrin on BambaraFigure 3