Effects of extracts of <i>Daucus carota</i> and <i>Brassica oleraceae</i> on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer

Abstract

Disruption of gastric mucosal integrity occurs due to imbalance between defensive and offensive factors. This requires treatment using pharmacological agents to reduce the burden. The associated drug adverse effects attract research into crude plant materials and plant products from which active compounds with promising therapeutic results can be obtained. Phytochemical screening of D. carota and B. oleraceae extract were done. Forty-eight Wistar strain rats, age 8-10 weeks, weighing 100g–152g, were acclimatized for 14 days after which they were fasted for 10-12h and given 1ml of 90% ethanol/100g body weight orally to induce gastric ulceration. Extract of D. carota and B. oleraceae were administered orally for fifteen days after which the rats were sacrificed and stomach harvested. Phytochemical screening showed that both D. carota and B. oleraceae contain tannin, cardiac glycoside. Stomach tissue antioxidant levels showed a non-significant increase in GSH (p = 0.21); a significant increase in SOD and CAT (p = 0.000, 0.000); and a significant decrease in MDA, GPx, and GPR (p = 0.000, 0.002, 0.000) in the treated groups. B. oleraceae extract demonstrated a 25.7% cure, D. carota extract showed 56.6% cure while combined B. oleraceae and D. carota extracts showed 70% cure rate. Modifications of gastric mucosal damage by the administered extracts were revealed histopathologically. It could be concluded that extract of D. carota and B. oleraceae singly or in combination exhibited antiulcer activities in ethanol-induced gastric ulceration and showed some synergism in the management of gastric ulcer.

Keywords: Daucus carota, Brassica oleraceae, ethanol, antioxidants, gastric ulcer

Afr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (January, 2019); 89- 95