Gastroprotective effect of n-butanol fractions from Lumnitzera racemosa leaves against indomethacin induced ulcer in Wistar rats

Abstract

Phytoconstituents from plants serve as a safe replacement for synthetic molecules in drug production. Lumnitzera racemosa Willd., commonly called white-flowered black mangrove, is used in folk medicine to treat inflammation and other diseases. Here, we evaluated the antiulcer activity of two fractions (LR-B-4-11 and LR-B-4-12) of n-butanol (n-BuOH) fractions of L. racemosa leaves at the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, body wt. against indomethacin induced gastric mucosal injury in Wistar rats. The rats were dissected and their stomachs were inspected macroscopically to diagnose hemorrhagic lesions in the gastric and fundic mucosa. Administration of the fractions at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg body wt., demonstrated a significant reduction in the indomethacin induced gastric erosion when compared to the control. The lower dose of LR-B-4-11 fraction (50 mg/kg) resulted in better inhibition of indomethacin induced gastric ulcer as compared to the control. Histological studies of the fundic and gastric mucosa reported that indomethacin led to mucosal degeneration, ulceration, and migration of numerous inflammatory cells throughout the section. On the other hand, pretreated groups with n-BuOH fractions demonstrated substantial regeneration of the mucosal layer and significant prevention of hemorrhage and edema occurrence.