Abstract

Albuca setosa is a medicinal plant used by Xhosa tribe in the rural area of South Africa for the treatment of wounds, articulation problems, rheumatoid arthritis and digestive disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the healing effect of A. setosa on experimental induced gastric ulcer. The anti-ulcerogenic effects of A. setosa were investigated in male Wistar rats. Gastric ulcer was induced per os using indomethacin (50 mg/kg) and ethanol (2 ml/animal). The ulceration lesion index was calculated for each one of the ulcerated stomach; the macroscopic and histomorphology evaluation were made. In indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, oral administration of A. setosa significantly inhibited (P<0.01) gastric ulcer formation by 82 and 83% at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. In ethanol-induced gastric ulcers, A. setosa significantly inhibited (P<0.05) gastric ulcer formation by 39 and 35% at the dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Macroscopic evaluation of ulcerated stomachs of A. setosa treated groups showed a reduced area of gastric lesion, with moderate disruption of the gastric epithelium as well as the mucosa stromal cell. The results obtained in this study suggest that the A. setosa possesses some anti-ulcerogenic properties, which may support evidence for its traditional use.

Key words: Gastric ulcer, indomethacin, ethanol, Albuca setosa, inflammation.