Phytochemical Screening and Antiulcer Activity, of Ficus thonningii (Moraceae) Aqueous Fruits Extract in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that about 80% of the world’s population rely mostly on traditional medicine. Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) which results from an imbalance between stomach acid-pepsin and mucosal defense barriers is a chronic disease affecting up to 10% of the world’s population and represents 33% of gastroenterology consultations in Cameroon. The people in low medium incomecountries depend mostly on medicinal plants for primary healthcare since they can be accessed quickly and are affordable. Such plant is Ficus thonningii Blume, which is found abundantly in Africa and also in Cameroon. The objective of this study was to phytochemically screened the aqueous fruits extract of Ficus thonningii (AEFFt), and investigate their antiulcer activity.
 Methods: The aqueous fruits extract was phytochemically screened following standard qualitative methods. Four in vitro tests to characterize antacid properties were carried out. Ulcers were induced using an ethanol and hydrochloric acid (HCl/EtOH) solution. Ulcer preventive (anti-ulcer) activity was investigated in 6 different treatment groups: 2 conventional drugs (Maalox 100 mg/kg, Omeprazole 20 mg/kg), three doses of AEFFt at (125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, & 500 mg/Kg), and a vehicle treatment group (administered only the ulcerogenic agent). Histological analysis of the stomachs was carried out.
 Results: The phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of fruits of F. thonningii showed the presence of flavonoids, mucilages, saponins, gallic tannins, betacyanins, and total polyphenols. Following the in vitro tests, we obtained a value of 7.4mEq for acid neutralization capacity (ANC) for the extract, and a pH of 4.2 for the extract following FDA test. For the in vivo tests, the aqueous extract of fruits of F. thonningii (AEFFt) showed a dose-dependent increase ulcer-preventive (gastroprotective) activity with the three treatment aqueous extracts doses.
 Conclusion: The study showed that, the aqueous extract of fruits of Ficus thonningii showed a dose-dependent ulcer-preventive activity that could be accounted for by the presence of bioactive phytochemicals like polyphenols (flavonoids, tannins).

In vitro anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of aqueous extract of Emilia sonchifolia

“…Similarly, ANC value of the standard AHMH (500 mg) was found to be 13.2 which is quite similar to the concentration of test drug. Whereas, test drug concentration 1000 mg was found to neutralize acid more significantly as compared to standard 29,30 . The results are tabulated in Table 5.…”

Evaluation of <i>Hibiscus sabdariffa</i> Aerial Parts against Pyloric Ligation-induced Ulcers in Experimental Rats

“…The qualitative estimation of various metabolites present in the extracts was carried out as per the protocol specified by Uku et al 15 .…”

“…The pH of the gastric juice was recorded by a pH meter. The gastric content was subjected to analysis for free and total acidity 15 . The glandular portion of the stomach was opened along the greater curvature, and the severity of hemorrhagic erosions in the acid-secreting mucosa was assessed on a scale of 0 to 3, i.e., the ulcer index was determined 16 .…”