RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: In this study, we determined the gastroprotective and ulcer-healing effects of extracts (aqueous and methanolic) of Nauclea pobeguinii stem-back. METHODS: Gastroprotective and healing activity were evaluated following a HCl/ethanol and an indomethacin-induced acute ulcers models; acetic acid, pylorus-ligature, pylorus ligature/histamine and pylorus ligature/acetylcholine-induced chronic ulcers models. RESULTS: It emerges from this study that, at 100, 200 and 400â¯mg/kg, the extracts significantly reduced the various ulceration parameters. Compared to negative control male rats, the aqueous (100â¯mg/kg) and methanolic (400â¯mg/kg) extracts of Nauclea pobeguinii inhibited the ulcers induced by HCl/ethanol by 80.76â¯% and 100â¯% respectively, as well as ulcers induced by indomethacin by 88.28â¯% and 93.47â¯% respectively. Animals that received 200â¯mg/kg of both extracts showed a significant reduction in the levels of monocytes, lymphocytes, nitric oxide, MDA and a significant increase in the activities of SOD and catalase. Histological analysis showed repaired mucous epithelium at all doses of both extracts. Aqueous and methanol extracts inhibited ulceration indices by 89.33â¯% and 88.53â¯% for pylorus ligature, 83.81â¯% and 61.07â¯% for pylorus ligature/acetylcholine and 87.29â¯% and 99.63â¯% for pylorus ligature/histamine respectively. Both extracts protected the stomach lining with percentages inhibition of 79.49â¯% and 81.73â¯%, respectively in the ethanol test. The extracts induced a significant increase in mucus mass (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The aqueous and methanol extracts of Nauclea pobeguinii healed ulcers thanks to their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-secretory and cytoprotective properties.