Gastroprotective Effect of Abelmoschus esculentus (Ex-Maradi Okra Fruit Variety) Against Ethanol-Induced Ulcers in Rats

Peptic ulcer disease, a notable gastrointestinal disorder, results from an imbalance between gastric acid secretion and the factors maintaining gastric mucosal integrity. Abelmoschus esculentus, commonly known for its mucilaginous and nutraceutical properties, also exhibits an antacid effect. This research aimed to examine the antacid properties of fresh okra fruit mucilage (FOM) and dried okra fruit powder (DOP) of the Ex-Maradi okra fruit variety against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in Wistar rats. Rats were randomly assigned to seven groups consisting of six rats each. Rats in the FOM and that of the DOP group were pretreated orally with 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight of the FOM and DOP, respectively; the drug control (DC) group was pretreated orally with 20 mg/kg body weight of Cimetidine while the normal control (NC) group and the ulcer control (UC) group were pretreated orally with normal saline (2 mL/kg body weight). All the treatments were done for seven days before the induction of the ulcer. Ulcer index (UI), percentage inhibition (PI), gastric volume, gastric pH, total acidity, and total antioxidant power (TAP) were evaluated to assess the gastro-protective effect of the FOM and DOP in the rats. Both FOM and DOP groups demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) protection with a low ulcer index (2.41 ± 0.12) and high ulcer inhibition (75.6 %) against the damaging effect of ethanol on the gastric mucosa of the animals. Additionally, DOP also exhibited a strong antioxidant effect with a good percentage inhibition value (56.53 ± 2.1%) compared to the ulcer control group. These results were further supported by the histopathological findings from the rats’ stomachs. In conclusion, the Ex-Maradi okra fruit, especially the DOP500, demonstrated significant (P < 0.05) gastro-protective effects and maintained a relatively intact and continuous epithelial surface of the rats’ stomachs. Overall, its gastroprotective effects may be possibly mediated by its potential to modulate the antioxidant system and gastric acid levels. Hence, the dried okra fruit could be suitable for the development of green anti-ulcer formulations.