ABSTRACT
Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) affects millions of people globally. In low- and middle-income countries, peptic ulcer diseases have been reported to be responsible for 7,000,000 disabilityadjusted life years and 230,000 deaths annually. Despite the prevalence of peptic ulcer diseases, and the inefficacy of certain medications, screening of anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties of ethnomedicinal substances for the treatment of peptic ulcer is limited. This study investigates the effects of aqueous extract of Brachystegia eurycoma seed on gastric injury induced by ethanol in adult Wistar rats. The study used a controlled experimental design to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of the extract on the gastric architecture. Thirty-five (35) adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into seven (7) groups of five (5) animals each. Group A received 1 ml of distilled water only, Group B received 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Brachystegia eurycoma seed, Group C received 5 ml/kg of absolute alcohol, Group D received 5 ml/kg of absolute alcohol + 30 mg/kg of Omeprazole, Group E received 5 ml/kg of absolute alcohol + 250 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Brachystegia eurycoma seed, Group F received 5 ml/kg of absolute alcohol + 500 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Brachystegia eurycoma seed,” while Group G received 5 ml/kg of absolute alcohol and was left to recover for the remainder of the study. All administrations were carried out by orogastric tube. After sacrifice, stomach tissues were harvested and preserved in 10% buffered formalin and 1% nitric acid. Tissue homogenate was utilized for the assay of antioxidant enzymes, and gene expression tests. Statistical Product and Solution Services (IBM SPSS) (Version 25) was used to analyze data; Haematoxylin and Eosin stained were utilized for gastric tissues histological assessment. Results from the study demonstrated that B. eurycoma increased GPx, GSH, and CAT levels and decreased MDA values in the stomach tissue homogenate. B. eurycoma treatment resulted in increased IL-10 gene expression and decreased TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-6 gene expression in the stomach tissue, while alcohol had a contrasting effect. Histologically, B. eurycoma restored the previously ulcerated gastric mucosa by ethanol. We opine that B. eurycoma's anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer effects are due to its powerful phytoconstituents. Its bioactivity mechanisms include anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions through free radical quenching, reducing reactive single O2 formation and stimulating Nrf2-mediated anti-oxidant response element-based genes to protect the stomach mucosal linings and facilitate gastric tissue restoration, leading to improved gastric health. These findings suggest that the aqueous extract of Brachystegia eurycoma seed has potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ethanol-induced gastric injury. The study provides new insights into the potential health benefits of Brachystegia eurycoma and highlights its potential as a natural remedy for gastric mucosa inflammation and ulceration.
