Gastric Ulcer-Healing Properties of Diets Containing Seeds of Buchholzia coriacea Englar in Rats

Abstract

The effect of diets containing seeds of Buchholzia coriacea (wonderful kola) on the healing of experimental gastric ulceration was investigated in Wistar albino rats. Buchholzia coriacea seeds were collected, authenticated, dried, milled and then mixed with normal rat feed in dose- dependent proportions of 12.5%, 25% and 50% in relation to the rat feed. The animals were fed with the diets for six weeks. Acid secretory rate was estimated using the continuous stomach perfusion method. In another study, experimental gastric ulceration was induced by serosal application of 20% acetic acid to the wall of the rat stomach. Healing was assessed by scoring ulcers 10 days post-induction. Lipid peroxidation was estimated in the homogenized stomach samples. Histopathologic analysis of the stomach sections were also carried out. Results showed that the various doses of the B. coriacea preparation significantly reduced experimentally induced acetic acid gastric ulceration in pre-treated rats in a dose dependent fashion as shown in mean ulcer indices (p < 0.05) observed ten days after ulceration, the healing being more effective with the 50% dose. Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased the stomach of all the rats with acetic acid induced ulcer when compared with the unulcerated (normal) rats (p<0.05). However, lipid peroxidation decreased dose dependently with increasing percentage of Bulchorzia incorporation into the diet. Evidence of restoration towards normal were observed in the analysis of the prepared histologic slides. The results of this study suggest that Buchholzia coriacea seeds promote the healing of experimental gastric ulcers in rat.