Gastroprotective Effect of Aqueous Achatina achatina L. (Snail) Slime Extract on Indomethacin- and Acidified Ethanol-Induced Ulceration in Wistar Albino Rats

Snail slime is used widely in African traditional medicine, specifically in Nsukka Enugu, Nigeria, for wound management; however, this claim lacks scientific validation. Herein, we investigated the gastroprotective effect of aqueous Achatina achatina L. (snail) slime extract (ASSE) on indomethacin- and ethanol-induced ulceration in Wistar albino rat models. Biochemical analysis of ASSE showed appreciable levels of manganese, iron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, selenium, Vitamin C, B1, B2, and B3 and a basic pH. The experimental design consists of two Phases (five groups of five rats each). In both Phases, group I (positive control) received 3ml of distilled water, while groups II-V received 20 mg/kg body weight omeprazole (standard drug), 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw ASSE, respectively, via oral intubation. The various treatments lasted for 21-days. Following 24-hours fasting with access to only water (which spanned between the 22nd -23rd day), ulceration was induced separately on the experimental animals in Phase I with a single oral dose of indomethacin (30 mg/kg bw) and in Phase II with a single oral dose of acidified ethanol (1.5 ml/ kg bw), via the gastric gavage. The LD50 study showed safety up to 5000 mg/kg bw ASSE. After induction, a significant (P<0.05) increase in the number of ulcers and mean ulcer index were recorded in group 1 of both Phases; however, rats administered various concentrations of ASSE showed significant (P<0.05) amelioration of the ulceration in both Phases, and these were on par with the standard control. These results suggest that aqueous snail slime extract possesses gastroprotective potential