Possible Gastroprotective Mechanisms of Dacryodes edulis Extract in Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration in Male Wistar Rats

African bush Pear known as is a well-known plant in West Africa, the fruits are edible while the bark, leaves, stem and roots are employed for a variety of purposes. It has been previously reported to possess high antioxidant properties and has also been used in folkloric medicine to treat ulcer among other ailments. This study therefore investigated the possible anti ulcer mechanisms of action of methanolic leaf extract of Dacryodes edulis (ME) in male Wistar rats.

Fifty (50) adult male Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 200g were randomly divided into two experimental groups. Twenty five (25) animals were further sub-divided into 5 groups (n=5). The first subgroup was used for the antiulcer study using indomethacin induced ulceration model. The second experimental group was used to examine the mechanisms of action of ME i.e gastric mucus secretion, antioxidant enzymes and prostaglandins secretion. Each subgroup was divided into; Control, Omeprazole (positive control) and three doses of (ME) D. edulis (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) pre-treated for twenty-eight days orally.

D. edulis (200 mg/kg) conferred a significant reduction in the mean ulcer score (P=0.05), producing 64.75% ulcer inhibition. Compared with the control, the catalase activity was significantly increased in the 200 mg/kg group of D. edulis and in the Omeprazole group, while SOD levels were significantly increased across all test groups and in Omeprazole group. There was significant reduction MDA level of all the pre treated groups when compared with the control. There was dose dependent increase across all the groups pre-treated with D. edulis when these were compared with the control.

In conclusion, the anti-ulcer effect of Dacryodes edulis is likely mediated via the production of antioxidant enzymes (Catalase, SOD), reduction in lipid peroxidation (MDA concentration), and increase endogenous prostaglandins (PGE2).