Antiulcerogenic effects of Celosia trigyna plant extracts on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in adult Wistar rats

Abstract

Background and aim: Gastric ulcer is a chronic disease and serious health issue. Celosia trigyna is a medicinal plant used traditionally for wound healing. This study aimed to isolate the bioactive compounds from Celosia trigyna and to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anti-ulcerogenic effects of the extracts on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer on adult Wistar rats to determine their regenerative potential.

Experimental procedure: Seven groups (A - negative control, B - vehicle control, C, D, E, F and G - positive control, n = 5) of five adult Wistar rats received treatment for ethanol-induced gastric ulcer.

Results and conclusion: Phytochemical analysis led to the isolation of chondrillasterol, lutein, pheophytin a and chondrillasterol acetate. The in vitro results showed dichloromethane and hexane extracts to have maximum chymotrypsin inhibition relative to the standard (chymostatin) while in vivo results showed a significant increase in ulcer parameters of the vehicle control relative to groups treated with plant extracts (P < 0.05). Ulcer parameters and DNA density in groups treated with dichloromethane and hexane extracts were comparable to the negative control. Gross and histopathological findings confirmed gastric mucosa lesions in the vehicle control. There were mild ulcerations in groups treated with the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts with no observable ulcerations in the groups treated with dichloromethane and hexane extracts as the histoarchitectural outlines do not show any form of necrosis, distortion or cellular vacuolation. It was concluded that non-polar, hydrophobic compounds are able to remediate the degree of ulceration but not polar compounds.

Keywords: Gastric mucosa; Omeprazole; Ulcer index; Ulcer score.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

α-Chymotrypsin activity in four isolated compounds. Values are given as mean ± SEM for % inhibition of α-Chymotrypsin activity in each group. Different letters (a–e) above the bars signify significantly different means while means with the same letters are not significantly different (P = 0.001, Turkey’s post hoc comparisons).

Fig. 2

Macroscopic view of the stomachs in (a) group A - negative control (absence of hemorrhagic patches) (b) group B - vehicle control (numerous hemorrhagic patches that characterize the entire mucosa) (arrow) (c) group C- treated with methanol extract (hemorrhagic patches (arrow) (d) group D - treated with dichloromethane extract (absence of hemorrhagic patches) (e) group E−treated with ethyl acetate extract (tenderness in the mucosa and scanty hemorrhagic patches) (arrow) (F) group F – treated with hexane extract (absence of hemorrhagic patches) (G) group G – positive control (absence of hemorrhagic patches).

Fig. 3

Photomicrographs of the stomachs in (a) group A-negative control (intact mucosa (M)) arrow showing the epithelium (b) group B -vehicle control (discontinuation of the epithelium - arrow) and the disruption of the mucosa (M) (c) group C- treated with methanol extract (slight ulceration) (arrow) (d) group D - treated with dichloromethane extract (intact epithelium) (arrow) (e) group E−treated with ethyl acetate extract (epithelial discontinuation) (arrow) (f) group F - treated with hexane extract (intact mucosa (M) and epithelium) (arrow) (G) Group G – positive control (intact mucosa (M) and epithelium) (arrow). H & E Mag: 100 × ; Scale bar: 5 mm. Red arrow – point of ulceration; white arrow – intact epithelium; green arrow – blood vessel; M − mucosa; SM – submucosa; ME – muscularis externa.

Fig. 4

Photomicrographs of the stomachs in (a) Group A-negative control (intense distribution of collagen fibers within the submucosa (SM)) (b) Group B - vehicle control (scanty distribution of collagen fibers within the submucosa (SM)) (c) Group C- treated with methanol extract (gradual restoration of collagen fibers within the submucosa (SM)) (d) Group D - treated with dichloromethane extract (distribution of collagen fibers within the submucosa (SM)similar to group A) (e) Group E−treated with ethylacetate extract (gradual restoration of collagen fibers within the submucosa (SM)) (F) Group F –treated with hexane extract (distribution of collagen fibers within the submucosa (SM) similar to group A) (G) Group G –positive control (distribution of collagen fibers within the submucosa (SM) similar to groups A, D and F). VVG. Mag: 100 × ; Scale bar: 5 mm. Collagen fibres – stain pink.

Fig. 5

DNA density. Values are given as mean ± SEM for quantification of DNA density/900 mm² using Feulgen stain in each group. Different letters (a–f) above the bars signify significantly different means while means with the same letters are not significantly different (P = 0.001, Turkey’s post hoc comparisons).