Gastroprotective Activities of Canarium schweinfurthii Fruit and Oil Diets: Role of H+/K+ ATPase Activity

Abstract

Canarium schweinfurthii fruit and fruit-pulp oil is used in folk medicine for the treatment of peptic ulcer although there is limited scientific information this activity. This study aims to investigate the gastro-protective potential and mechanism of the fruit and fruit-pulp oil of C. schweinfurthii in indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. One hundred and forty (140) Wistar rats (120-150g; n=20) were divided into seven groups namely: Groups 1, 2 and 3 were control, untreated, and cimetidine treated (30 mg/kg b.w) while groups 4 and 5 received in their feed 30% and 60% of C. schweinfurthii fruit while groups 6 and 7 received 1mL/kg and 2mL/kg of C. schweinfurthii oil. They were pre-treated for 14 or 28 days prior to ulcer induction using 40 mg/kg indomethacin for 4 hours. Basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion, ulcer scores and stomach biochemical variables were estimated and processed for histological evaluation by days 14 and 28 of gastric ulceration. Canarium schweinfurthii fruit and fruit pulp oil significantly decreased gastric ulceration, histamine stimulated gastric acid secretions and lipid peroxidation compared with untreated group. Pre-treatment with high doses of C. schweinfurthii fruit and fruit pulp oil significantly increased gastric mucin, mucous cell count and nitric oxide levels as well as catalase activity compared to untreated group. There were no visible lesions in the C. schweinfurthii diet fed groups. Canarium schweinfurthii fruit and fruit pulp oil inhibit histamine induced gastric acid secretion, H⁺K⁺ATPase pump activities, increase antioxidant enzymes, nitric oxide level, gastric mucin and mucous cell counts.