Usman B.,1,2*, Wulgo, A. M.3, Timta, M. H.2, Waziri, A.4, Maina, U. A.5, Abdulsalam, H. 4, Jibril, I.6, Idowu, A.1
1Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
2Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria
3Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
4Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
5Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria.
6Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Nigeria
*Corresponding author’s Email: abbalaushi@unimaid.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607.02010022
ABSTRACT
Saccharum spontaneum is a medicinal herb used to treat gastritis, diuresis, and anaemia, but its preventive action against stomach mucosal injury remains unknown. The study investigates the phytochemical screening and gastroprotective effect of aqueous leaf extract of Saccharum spontaneum in aspirin-induced mucosal ulceration in rats. Thirty-five adult rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=7 per group). Group A (control group); Group B was given 200 mg/kg of aspirin; Group C was administered 10 mg/kg of omeprazole; Group D and E received 200 and 400 mg/kg of AESS, respectively. Prophylactic treatment was carried out orally for 14 consecutive days before aspirin administration. The rats were anaesthetized with chloroform and sacrificed by cervical dislocation at the end of the study. Stomachs were harvested for ulcer index and histopathological assessment. The extract showed significant phytoconstituents, including alkaloids (5.01%), flavonoids (10.13%), phenols (13.89%), saponins (5.78%), and tannins (12.07%). Aspirin significantly (P≤0.05) increased the mean ulcer index (5.75 ± 0.50). Pretreatment with AESS (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced the mean ulcer index (2.75 ± 0.50 and 2.00 ± 0.96, respectively) compared to the aspirin-ulcerated group (5.75 ± 0.50). Extensive mucosal erosions, loss of lining epithelium, haemorrhages, inflammatory infiltration, and deep ulceration were observed in the gastric tissue of aspirin-treated rats. Administration of AESS-protected aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury with no ulcer craters, haemorrhage, or mild abrasion on the lining epithelium. In conclusion, Saccharum spontaneum can partly protect the gastric mucosa against aspirin-induced damage to a degree similar to the classical omeprazole.
Keywords:
Saccharum spontaneum,
Gastric ulcer,
Histopathology,
Photochemistry,
Aspirin