THE GASTRO-PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ETHANOLIC ROOT EXTRACT OF UVARIA OVATA VIA ULCER SCORES, EXTRACTIBLE MUCUS, GASTRIC ACID SECRETION AND GASTRIC ACTIVITY USING RAT MODELS
The gastro-protective effect of ethanolic root extract of Uvaria ovata through ulcer scores, extractible mucus weight, stomach acid secretion and gastric activity was studied using rat models. A total of 40 Wistar rats were used for this study. The animals were separated into 2 experimental groups, namely: chronic (15 rats) and acute (25 rats), with rats in both groups weighing between 100-140g. For the chronic group, group 1 served as the control and received normal feed and distilled water only, group 2 were given low dose of 500mg/kg of Uvaria ovata root extract orally along with food and water, and group 3 were given high dose of 1000mg/kg of Uvaria ovata root extract orally along with feed and water for 30 days respectively. In the acute study, group 1 received no administration, group 2 were used as the negative control and were administered 800mg/kg of Aspirin. Group 3, which constituted the positive control, were administered 4mg/kg of Omeprazole, followed by 800mg/kg Aspirin. Group 4 were given low dose (400mg/kg) of Uvaria ovata root extract, followed by 800mg/kg of Aspirin, while group 5 were given high dose (800mg/kg) Uvaria ovata root extract followed by 800mg/kg of Aspirin. The findings suggested that Uvaria ovata root extract provided gastroprotection against gastric ulceration.