Antiulcer activity of the most active sub-fraction of methanolic leaf extract of Buchanania Lanzan Spreng

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the antiulcer activity of the most active sub-fraction of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. leaves methanolic extract (BLE). Methods: The antioxidant activity of BLE fractions and sub-fractions has been assayed to determine the most active sub-fraction by using in vitro antioxidant methods like hydrogen peroxide free radical scavenging assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, total flavonoid and total phenolic content estimation. Then, the antiulcerogenic activity of most active subfraction of BLE (50 and 100 mg/kg, b.w., orally) was evaluated employing aspirin+pylorus ligation-induced (APL) and HCl/ethanol-induced (HE) gastric ulcer models in rats, and histopathological examination of stomach tissues of rats. Results: The most active sub-fraction of BLE exerted a significant (P<0.01) dose-dependent decrease in the ulcerative lesion index produced by APL and HE ulcer models in rats as compared to the standard drugs omeprazole (30 mg/kg, b.w. orally) and ranitidine (32 mg/kg, b.w. orally) respectively. The reduction in gastric fluid volume, total acidity and an increase in the pH of the gastric fluid in APL treated rats proved the antisecretory activity of most active subfraction of BLE. From histopathological examination, it was found that in tissues of both the models that received pretreatment with most active sub-fraction showed better protection of the gastric mucosa in a dose-dependent manner as indicated by reduction or absence of mucosal erosion and infiltration of leucocytes. Conclusion: These results suggest that leaves of Buchanania lanzan Spreng. possess potential antiulcer activity, which may be attributed to its antioxidant mechanism of action.