8. Gastroprotective activity of Gymnosporia emerginata, Solanum pubescence and Anogessius accuminata leaf extract against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats

The present study was performed to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic activity of methanolic extract of Gymnosporia emerginata, Solanum pubescence and Anogessius accuminata against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Five groups of rats were orally pre-treated respectively with normal saline solution (ulcer control group), Omeprazole 10 mg/kg (reference group), and 300 mg/kg of Gymnosporia emerginata, Solanum pubescence and Anogessius accuminata leaf extract in normal saline solution ( 3 experimental groups), one hour before oral administration of absolute ethanol to generate gastric mucosal injury. Rats were sacrificed and the ulcer areas of the gastric walls were determined. Grossly, the ulcer control group exhibited severe mucosal injury, whereas pre-treatment with Solanum pubescence leaf extract exhibited significant protection of gastric mucosal injury followed by Gymnosporia emerginata and Anogessius accuminata leaf extracts. Histological studies revealed that ulcer control group exhibited severe damage of gastric mucosa, along with edema and leucocytes infiltration of submucosal layer compared to rats pre-treated with Solanum pubescence, Gymnosporia emerginata and Anogessius accuminata leaf extract which showed gastric mucosal protection, reduction or absence of edema and leucocytes infiltration of submucosal layer. Acute toxicity study did not manifest any toxicological signs in rats. The present finding suggests that Solanum pubescence, Gymnosporia emerginata and Anogessius accuminata leaf extract promotes ulcer protection as ascertained grossly and histologically compared to the ulcer control group.