Ulcer Healing Mechanism of Ethanolic Extract of Talinium triangulare in Male Wistar Rats

Talinium triangulare have been proven to offer promising antiulcer properties which could validate its’folkoric use for the treatment of gastric ulcer in various part of Nigeria. This study investigates the role of methanolic extract of Talinium triangulare (METT) in gastric ulcer healing and the possible mechanisms involved. Twenty-eight male wistar rats (160-180gm, n=7) were grouped into; A-control, B-ulcerated untreated, C-ulcerated treated with Omeprazole (20 mg/kg b.w.) and D-ulcerated treated with METT (100 mg/kg b.w.). Gastric ulcer was induced by injecting 0.2 MLs of 40% acetic acid into the glandular part of the stomach for 45 seconds after which it was withdrawn, and the stomach surface cleaned with normal saline.  Stomach samples were collected by day 14 post ulceration and assessed for ulcer score; a section of it was fixed for histological evaluation and immunohistochemical (Avidin-Biotin Immunoperoxidase method) analysis. Stomach tissue homogenates were used for enzymatic activities. Results were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance method. There was a significant reduction in the ulcer area of the METT treated group compared with other ulcerated treated and untreated groups. Malondialdehyde concentration of the gastric tissue homogenate was significantly lower in METT treated group compared to other groups. The METT treated group significantly increased the level of superoxide dismutase and catalase compared to other test groups. Histological study showed that only METT treated rats produces predominantly normal mucosa, METT treated rats also expressed CD31 (a marker of angiogenesis) and EGFR (a marker of proliferation) more than the other rats, while the expressions of Ki67 (proliferation) and p53 (Apoptosis) by METT group were not different from other groups. Methanolic extracts of Talinum triangulare accelerated the healing of gastric ulcers in rats probably through reduced oxidative stress, increased cell proliferation, and angiogenesis.