GASTROPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PHYLLANTHUS ACIDUS FRUIT AGAINST INDOMETHACIN-INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERS IN RATS

This study investigated the gastroprotective effect of methanolic extract of Phyllanthus acidus fruit (MPA) against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Ulceration was induced by a single oral administration of indomethacin (80 mg/kg body weight). Wistar rats were pre-treated with ranitidine (reference drug) at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight and MPA at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight once daily for 21 days prior to ulcer induction. After 4 h of indomethacin administration, gastric secretions, antioxidant parameters and stomach nitric oxide (NO) were evaluated. The results showed that indomethacin induced gastric ulcer was associated with a significant increase of malondialdehyde and significant decrease of the gastroprotective mediators such as glutathione (GSH) and NO compared with normal control. Pre-treatment with MPA has shown improvements in indomethacin induced ulcers. In addition, MPA reduced oxidative stress parameters, free and total acidity and gastric NO content. Collectively, MPA produced gastroprotective effect in indomethacin induced gastric ulcers by anti-secretory action and cytoprotective effect. Keywords: Peptic ulcer, indomethacin, glutathione, Phyllanthus acidus, prostaglandins.