Healing effect of Allium sativum on induced upper gastrointestinal tract injury in albino Wistar rats

Abstract

Background: Peptic ulcer is regarded as a chronic disease that impairs the quality of life and has been linked to increased morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to determine the ameliorative effect of Allium sativum on induced gastrointestinal tract injury in albino Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: A. sativum was purchased from vegetable market and authenticated in the Department of Pharmacognosis of University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. A total of 24 albino Wistar rats of both sexes weighing between 120 g and 150 g were used. The rats were randomly shared into six study groups: two control groups and four treated groups (four rats of each). Group A consisted of rats given 1 ml of normal saline and sacrifi ced after 6 h. Group B were rats given 20 mg/kg of indomethacin (n = 4) and sacrifi ced after 6 h. Group C consisted of four rats given 20 mg/kg of indomethacin (n = 4) and treated with aqueous extract of A. sativum (100 mg/kg) body weight, twice daily for 8 days and thereafter sacrificed (n = 4). Group D were given 20 mg/kg of indomethacin (n = 4) and then treated with aqueous extract of A. sativum (200 mg/kg) body weight, twice daily for 8 days and sacrifi ced (n = 4). Group E consisted of four rats given 20 mg/kg of indomethacin (n = 4) and treated with aqueous extract of A. sativum (300 mg/kg) body weight, twice daily for 8 days and sacrifi ced (n = 4). Group F consisted of four rats given 20 mg/kg of indomethacin (n = 4) and afterward treated with cimetidine (50 mg/kg) body weight twice daily for 8 days and sacrificed. Results: A. sativum exhibited better healing activities at 100 mg/kg dosage than 300 mg/kg while cimetidine produced fairly normal mucosa in the stomach and mild mucosa sloughing in the duodenum of the Wistar rats. The 200 mg/kg and the 300 mg/kg doses of A. sativum presented with similar results. Conclusion: Suffice to say that garlic extract is better than cimetidine in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcer. Further studies into the antiulcer activity of A. sativum are advocated.