Ethanolic Stem Bark Extract of Boswellia dalzielli H Promotes the Healing of Acetic Acid Induced Chronic Gastric Ulcer by Down-Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) -Αlpha in Wistar Albino Rats

Abstract

The present study determines the effects of the ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielii H on gastric homogenate and serum levels of TNF-α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), during the healing of chronic gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid in Wistar albino rats. Round and deep chronic gastric ulcers were induced by a high concentration of acetic acid in Wistar albino rats. 75 rats with gastric ulcers were randomly assigned to five treatment groups (2-5). Rats in group 1 had no gastric ulcer and were administered with vehicle 5ml/kg. Rats in group 2, negative control had gastric ulcers and were treated with vehicle 5ml/kg. Rats in group 3 were treated with ranitidine (50mg/kg) while rats in groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated daily with 100, 200, and 400mg/kg of ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielli H respectively. Treatment in all the groups was by intragastric administration. Five rats from groups (2-6) were euthanized on days 3, 7, and 9 along with the control group (1). Blood was collected, serum prepared, and assayed for TNFα and VEGF using ELISA. The stomach of each animal was evaluated for gastric ulcer, assessed for histopathologic changes, and preparation of gastric tissue homogenates. Intragastric administration of graded doses of ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielli H and ranitidine (50mg/kg) respectively, down-regulated serum and gastric tissue levels of TNF–α significantly (p<0.05), up-regulated VEGF significantly (p<0.05), and increased gastric ulcer healing rate in a significant manner (p<0.05). The increase was time and Dose and time dependent manner when compared to control. Attenuation of TNFα and up-regulation of VEGF by graded intragastric administration of the ethanolic stem bark extract of Boswellia dalzielli promotes the healing of chronic gastric ulcer induced by acetic acid in Wister albino rats.