Protective potential of the combination of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) on ethanol-induced ulcer in male Wistar rats
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/ffs.v5i3.1363Abstract
Background: Peptic ulcer is an ulcerative disorder characterized by abdominal pains which often lead to gastrointestinal bleeding and/or perforation with a high mortality risk.
Objective: This study aimed to provide scientific validation for the folkloric use of vegetables (cucumber and cabbage) in Nigerian ethnomedicine to treat peptic ulcers.
Methods: Cucumber and cabbage were used to formulate juice extract (JE) consisting of 80% cabbage and 20% cucumber. Thirty-five rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: Group 1 (naïve control) and group 2 (negative control) received distilled water, groups 3 – 7 were pre-treated with cimetidine (50 mg/kg b.wt), rabeprazole (20 mg/kg b.wt), 1.0 mL, 1.5 mL and 2.0 mL of JE, respectively, for 14 days after which the animals were fasted overnight and induced with gastric ulcer using 1 mL of absolute ethanol on day 15. Percentage inhibition of ulceration, gastric volume, total acidity, malondialdehyde, TNF– α and interleukin – 6 levels, H+/K+-ATPase, SOD and CAT activities were determined. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA at p < 0.05.
Results: The 2.0 mL of JE had the highest percentage ulcer inhibition (94.7%) when compared to cimetidine (52.6%) and rabeprazole (73.7%). Groups 3-7 significantly (p < 0.05) reduced gastric volume, total acidity, malondialdehyde, TNF– α, interleukin – 6 and H+/K+-ATPase activity/level, as well as significantly (p < 0.05) increased SOD and CAT activities when compared to the negative control.
Novelty: This study uniquely validates the traditional use of a specific combination of cucumber and cabbage (80% Brassica oleracea, 20% Cucumis sativus) in Nigerian ethnomedicine for treating peptic ulcers. Demonstrating a significantly higher gastro-protective effect with the juice extract compared to standard pharmaceutical treatments (cimetidine and rabeprazole), this research provides a novel scientific basis for this folkloric remedy. Furthermore, the comprehensive evaluation of the extract's impact on various biochemical markers, including inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress enzymes, and gastric acidity, offers a detailed insight into its mechanism of action.
Conclusion: The 2.0 mL of JE exhibited the highest gastro-protective effect. Further studies to identify the main gastro-protective compound(s) are recommended.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidants, B. oleracea, C. sativus, Gastro-protective, Peptic ulcer
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