ABSTRACT
Gastric ulcers are breakages in the continuity of the gastric mucosal epithelial lining, caused by imbalances between offensive and defensive factors of the gastric mucosa. The anti-ulcerogenic activity of the many plant products is reported due to an increase in the mucosal defensive factors rather than decrease in the offensive factors. Hibiscus esculentus, an evergreen shrub of the savannah region of Africa, but indigenous to the Nile, Mediterranean and India was investigated for its effects on gastric ulceration and secretion. A total of eighty (80) adult male albino rats were used in this study, which were divided into control, indomethacin (20mg/kg), extract (100 and 200mg/kg) and cimetidine treated groups. It was carried out using the Shay et al model of ulcers induction, with indomethacin as the necrotizing agent. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides and phenolics. The oral and subcutaneous LD50 study of the extract in mice was found to be above 5000mg.kg. Group 1 that serves as control were given only subcutaneous distilled water. There was a statistical significance p<0.05 in the ulcer index and preventive index respectively in group 2, and a statistical significance of p<0.05 in the extract and cimetidine treated groups when compared with the control group. Gastric secretion as affected by indomethacin is insignificant in this study (p<0.05). These include volume and titratable acidity. However, there is a marked decrease in acid output. Histopathological analysis of the tissues revealed normal histological architecture of the gastric mucosa in the control group. Deep ulcerations stretching to the mucosa with necrotized bases were observed in the indomethacin treated group whereas the extract treated group markedly reduced the incidence and severity of the ulcerations. Keywords: Hibiscus esculentus, gastric mucosal integrity, phytochemicals, antiulcerogenic, offensive factors