Gastro-protective potential of aqueous stem bark extract of <i>Albyzia zygia</i> in rat models of ulcer

Abstract

Different parts of Albizia zygia have been traditionally used in the treatment of malaria, ophthalmic and bronchial diseases, inflammation, sores, wounds and toothache. This study is aimed at investigating the gastro-protective potential of aqueous extract of Albizia zygia stem bark. The gastroprotective effects of the aqueous extract were evaluated in ethanol-, indomethacin-, pylorusligation- and water immersion stress-induced models of ulcer in rats. Ranitidine (100 mg/kg) was used as the standard drug. The extract administered at doses of 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg caused dosedependent and significant (p<0.05) protection against ethanol-, indomethacin- and water immersion stress-induced ulcerations, with the greatest effect at 200 mg/kg. The extract also significantly reduced the severity of lesions and increased the superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the pylorus ligation model. Glutathione, malondialdehyde levels, pH, volume and total output of the gastric acid were not significantly altered. Addition of the extract to 0.1 N HCl elicited very little variation in pH suggesting a lack of neutralizing ability. The aqueous extract of Albizia zygia possesses anti-ulcer properties that may be due to cytoprotective mechanism but not neutralization of gastric acid. These findings indicate that A. zygia could have a beneficial role against ulcers.

Keywords: Albizia zygia, Ulcer, Acid output, Antioxidant, Ranitidine.