Abstract
Gastro-duodenal ulcers are diseases that constitute a major public health problem all over the world and particularly in Cote d'Ivoire. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute toxicity and gastric anti-ulcer activity of an aqueous extract of the leaves of Macaranga barteri (AEMb). Acute toxicity was carried out using the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines 420. The anti-ulcer activity of AEMb was evaluated using four models of gastric ulcer induction which are HCl/ethanol solution, ibuprofen solution, pylorus ligation and cold restraint stress in rats. The parameters assessed were mucus production, ulcer surface, ulcer index, pH, acid concentration and volume of gastric contents. Cimetidine, aluminium hydroxide and ranitidine were used as anti-ulcer standard drugs. The results of this preventive gastric anti-ulcer study revealed that for doses ranging from 62.5 to 500 mg/kg body weight (b.w), AEMb dose dependently prevented gastric lesion formation (p<0.001) in the four models. The inhibition values were 98.96, 94.11, 90.73 and 96.89% on ulcerations induced respectively by HCl/ethanol, ibuprofen, pylorus ligation and cold restraint stress at the dose of 500 mg/kg b.w. This cytoprotective action was accompanied by a significant increase in gastric mucus production. These results suggested that the preventive anti-ulcer activity of AEMb may be due to a cytoprotective effect. The median acute toxicity LD50 value of AEMb was higher than 5000 mg/kg b.w. This extract was classified as nontoxic in the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). Phytochemical compounds such as polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, sterols and polyterpenes found out in AEMb could be responsible for its effects. In conclusion, the antigastric ulcer and the non-toxic effects of the aqueous extract of M. barteri could justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastro-duodenal ulcers. Key words: Acute toxicity, gastric ulcer, rat, Macaranga barteri.
Highlights
Gastric ulcers are heterogeneous disorders, which are manifested as a rupture in the wall of the gastric mucosa bathed by acid and pepsin (Harold et al, 2007)
No acute toxicity after oral administration of aqueous extract of M. barteri (AEMb) was observed to the limiting dose of 5000 mg/kg
All the animals survived till the end of the 14-day observation period. This implies that the LD50 of AEMb is higher than 5000 mg/kg b.w
Summary
Gastric ulcers are heterogeneous disorders, which are manifested as a rupture in the wall of the gastric mucosa bathed by acid and pepsin (Harold et al, 2007). Gastric ulcers occur when there is a lack of balance between aggressive factors like acid, pepsin and local mucosal defense factors such as bicarbonate, mucus secretion and synthesis of prostaglandins (Harold et al, 2007). Many treatments are proposed by modern medicine for the eradication of gastric ulcers. These medications are useful and effective, their success is overshadowed by their various side effects. Health centers are sometimes non-existent or too far (Keïta, 1990). Because of these problems, many people use herbs for their health care in the treatment of gastric ulcers. M. barteri is usually a shrub or small thorny tree about 20 m high and 1.30 m in girth, sometimes with adventitious roots. The fruits are small capsules, irregularly ovoid or globose (Burkill, 1985)
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