Gastroprotective effect of Acacia nilotica pod extract against ethanol-induced gastritis in Wistar rats

Objectives: This study was designed in order to investigate the gastroprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Acacia nilotica pods (ANE) in rats with ethanol induced gastritis. Materials and Methods: Thirty Wistar rats were grouped into five groups (A-E) comprising of 6 rats each. Group A is the control group; group B is the ethanol group; group C is the omeprazole group (20 mg/kg bw); groups D and E are the ANE groups with 250 mg/kg bw and 500 mg/kg bw being administered. Groups C-E received treatments for 7 days, followed by administration of absolute ethanol (5mL/Kg) to groups B-E for induction of gastric ulceration. The rats were euthanized and the stomach was examined grossly and microscopically. Evaluation of gastric pH, mucus content, ulcer area and antioxidant parameters such as glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde was done. Results: The gastric pH, the level of mucus and the level of antioxidant enzymes of the rats that were exposed to absolute ethanol but not pretreated were significantly reduced. Nonetheless, the pretreated groups revealed that rats pretreated with ANE had an impressive increase in pH, mucus content, less ulcer area (89.6) and a regained antioxidant enzyme level compared to the control group. The histopathological analysis revealed that ANE pretreatment prevents the gastric mucosa when compared to omeprazole. Conclusion: This study showed that ANE exhibited a gastroprotective effect against ethanol induced gastric injury in rats. This effect can be linked to its antioxidant and mucoprotective properties.