Assessment of Gastric Acid Anti-Secretory Effects of Fraction Extracts of Piper guineense Leaf on Histamine-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Wistar Rats

Despite many etiological factors, gastric acid secretion is assumed to play a central role in the development of gastric ulcer. Blockade of gastric acid secretion therefore, seems to be the key therapeutic objective of gastric ulcer disease. Available acid-blocking/anti-secretory drugs used in the management of gastric ulcer are associated with high cost, unwanted side effects and treatment relapse. Extracts from plants can be useful and may serve as an alternative to conventional drugs in gastric ulcer management. This work was aimed at assessing the gastric acid anti-secretory effects of fractionated ethanol extract of Piper guineense leaf on histamine-induced ulcer in Wistar rats. This was conducted by administering orally, 400mg/kg of fraction extracts obtained by fractionation of ethanol-extracted residue, to fifty six adult Wistar rats randomized into eight groups (n=7) of animals followed by induction of ulcer with 40mg/kg histamine, orally. The effects of the plant extracts on histamine-induced ulcer, gastric pH and gastric volume were ascertained. From the results, all the extracts significantly (p<0.05) produced ulcer inhibition, increased gastric pH and reduced gastric volume. This study concludes that extracts of Piper guineense leaf possess antiulcer effects, which may occur via histamine-2-receptor blockade and/or anti-secretory mediated activities. Keywords: Gastric acid, Fraction extracts, Histamine, Anti­secretory, Piper guineense