Gastroprotective Activity of the Hydroethanolic Leaf Extract of Petiveria alliacea L. in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Gastric ulcer is a multifactorial disorder characterized by disruption of the gastric mucosa, often induced by ethanol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), oxidative stress, or Helicobacter pylori infection. This study investigated the gastroprotective activity of the hydroethanolic extract of Petiveria alliacea leaves on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in Wistar rats. The leaves of Petiveria alliacea L. were shade-dried, ground into powder, and extracted by maceration in 70% ethanol for 72 hours. The concentrated extract was administered orally to Wistar rats divided into six groups (n = 3), including a healthy control group, an ulcerated group, a group treated with ranitidine (50 mg/kg), and three test groups receiving the extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Gastric ulcers were induced by oral administration of absolute ethanol (96%, 2 mL/rat). One hour later, the stomachs were collected for macroscopic evaluation of lesions. The assessed parameters included the ulceration index, lesion score, and protection index. The results obtained demonstrate a significant and dose-dependent anti-ulcer activity of the Petiveria alliacea extract. The ulceration index was markedly reduced in the test groups compared to the ulcer control group (69.8 ± 3.4 mm²), with statistically significant decreases at 100 mg/kg (39.27 ± 3.4 mm²; p < 0.05), 200 mg/kg (29.8 ± 2.3 mm²; p < 0.01), and 400 mg/kg (23.3 ± 1.8 mm²; p < 0.01). The group treated with ranitidine (50 mg/kg) showed an even greater reduction (19.8 ± 1.6 mm²; p < 0.01). Similarly, ulcer scores were significantly reduced across all test groups, with a progressive improvement according to dose (from 2.9 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.2; p < 0.01). The percentages of ulcer inhibition increased consistently with the dose, reaching 43.73%, 57.3%, and 66.1%, respectively, compared to 71.63% in the ranitidine group. Finally, the protection index confirmed this trend, indicating increasing efficacy of the extract, with the highest level of protection (66.61%) observed at 400 mg/kg, close to that of ranitidine. These results suggest that P. alliacea exerts cytoprotective effects likely related to its phenolic and flavonoid constituents. The findings support the traditional use of P. alliacea in the management of gastric ulcers.