Evaluation of the Antiulcer Effects of Ethanol Extract of Rinorea subintegrifolia Leaves in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Background: Medicinal plants remain important sources of bioactive compounds for the management of gastrointestinal disorders, and Rinorea subintegrifolia is used ethnomedicinally for stomach disorders in parts of Edo State, Nigeria. Aim: This study evaluated the antiulcer effects of ethanol extract of Rinorea subintegrifolia leaves (ELRS) in male Wistar rats. Methodology: Eighteen male Wistar rats were allocated to three groups of six animals each for the pylorus-ligation model: control (normal saline, 5 ml/kg), ranitidine (30 mg/kg) and ELRS (250 mg/kg). Treatments were administered for 14 days. After pyloric ligation, stomachs were excised for assessment of ulcer index, percentage protection, gastric juice volume, pH, total acidity and histopathological changes. In the ethanol-induced ulcer model, two groups of five rats each received normal saline (10 ml/kg) or ELRS (250 mg/kg) for 14 days before ulcer induction with absolute ethanol. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22 and expressed as mean ± SEM. Results: Phytochemical screening of ELRS indicated the presence of reducing sugars, flavonoids, starch, tannins, terpenoids, saponins and steroids. In pylorus-ligated rats, ELRS significantly reduced the ulcer index compared with control and produced 78.40% protection. Ranitidine produced 69.60% protection, and there was no significant difference between ranitidine and ELRS pretreatment for ulcer index. In the ethanol-induced model, ELRS significantly reduced the ulcer index and produced 87.72% protection. ELRS also significantly reduced gastric juice volume and total acidity while increasing gastric juice pH. Histological findings supported reduced gastric mucosal damage in treated animals. Conclusion: ELRS showed gastroprotective activity in pylorus-ligated and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer models, probably through reduced gastric secretion, lower acidity and increased gastric pH.