Therapeutic Potentials of Desert date (Balanites aegyptiaca) Aqueous Fruit Pulp Extract on Ethanol Induced Gastric Ulcer in Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Gastric ulcer results from a disruption of the mucous membrane of the stomach and it affects about 10% of the global population. Balanites aegyptiaca Linn is a common desert plant belonging to the family Balanitaceae. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potentials of aqueous extract of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit pulp on an ethanol-induced gastric ulcer rat model. Methodology: The Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups of five rats each, group I was the normal control group and was allowed free access to water and feed ad libitum, group II-VI fasted for 12 hours before administration of 5ml/kg absolute ethanol (95%) to induce gastric ulceration. Group II serve as negative control and was administered normal saline and allowed free access to water and feed ad libitum. The experimental groups, III-V were administered 100mg/kg, 150mg/kg, 200mg/kg of the extract for seven days respectively while group VI received 20mg/kg omeprazole for seven days. The rats were euthanized and the stomach was harvested and scored to determine the ulcer score, processed, and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Results: The acute toxicity study showed that the extract was not toxic and have an LD50 > 5,000mg/kg, the following phytochemicals were shown to be present: Tannins, Saponins, Alkaloid, Steroids, and Flavonoid. The mean ulcer score significantly reduced to 1.50, 1.00, and 1.30 in the medium, high dose, and omeprazole groups respectively when compared to the negative control group (8.00) as well a reversal of ulceration across the treated groups was observed in a dose-dependent manner as the epithelial lining of the stomach was observed to regenerate gradually. Conclusion: The study showed that the aqueous extract of Balanites aegyptiaca has therapeutic properties against ethanol-induced gastric ulceration by reducing ulcer index and promoting gastric mucosal regeneration.