Antiulcerogenic effect of the methanolic extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum on the indomethacin induced gastric ulceration in male albino rats

Plants which are medicinal used in traditional medicine contain a diverse range of materials that can treat and provide care to many diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antiulcer activities of the methanolic extract of leaves of Bryophyllum pinnatum in indomethacin-induced male albino rats.  In this experiment, 42 rats were divided into six (6) groups with 7 rats in each group. Group A (Negative control) was given Indomethacin 40mg/kg b.wt, Group B pretreated with 20mg/kg b.wt of Cimetidin (antiulcer drug) and Groups C, D, E and F were pretreated with 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg b.wt of Bryophyllum pinnatum, respectively for two weeks. After 2 weeks 40mg/kg indomethacin was administered to induce ulcer in groups A to F after fasting them for 24 hours. At the end of the experiment the ulcer length was measured and percentage ulcer protection were calculated and its effect on oxidative stress parameters was determined. Gross and histopatological examination of the stomach was also done which revealed that the negative control rats exhibited stomach injury. The histological study of the gastric wall showed that negative control rats suffered damage of gastric mucosa compared to rats pretreated with Bryophyllum pinnatum extract where there was increase in gastric percentage protection from ulcer. The result showed a significant increase in SOD and Catalase activity and a decrease in malondialdehyde level when compared to the negative control. In conclusion, the result shows that the Bryophyllum pinnatum extract possess antiulcer effect in rats. This result confirms the traditional use of Bryophyllum pinnatum for treatment of ulcer.