Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and gastric histopathology activities of ethanol leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium in diclofenac induced albino rat models

The stomach is the roomiest portion of gastrointestinal tract. It serves as a reservoir for ingested food, secrets enzymes and hydrochloric acid for digestion of foods. This study was aimed at evaluating the anti-ulcer activity of ethanol leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium in diclofenac induced albino rat models. G. latifolium leaves powder (1600 g) was weighed and extracted by cold maceration for 72 hours in 15 L of ethanol. Qualitative phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity study of the extract were done. Anti-inflammatory activities of the extract were tested on both heat and hypo tonicity induced hemolysis. Ulcer index, percentage ulcer protection and percentage mucus production were estimated for various concentrations of the extract. There was also histopathology examination of the gastric epithelium. The extractive percentage yield of G. latifolium was 24.69%. The phytocomponents were small concentrations of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids and saponins. Only glycosides were present in moderately high concentrations. The median lethal dose (LD50) was ˃ 5.000 mg/kg body weight. The extract exhibited dose dependent percentage inhibition of inflammation; and at the dose of 1,000 µg/ml, attained percentage inhibitions of 86.75 and 85.87% for heat and hypo tonicity induced inflammations respectively. At the dose of 800 mg/kg body weight, Gongronema latifolium leaf extract recorded percentage ulcer inhibition of 57.18%, which was comparable with the percentage inhibition of omeprazole (62.71%). In conclusion, the good anti-ulcer activity of ethanol leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolium can be attributable to its anti-inflammatory as well as enhancement of gastric mucus production.