Macroscopic and microscopic assessment of gastroprotective effects of methanolic leaf extracts of Cissampelos owariensis (P. Beauv.) in rats using pyloric ligation method

Background: Cissampelos owariensis is a tropical medicinal plant widely applied for diverse therapeutic uses such as treatment of circulatory, reproductive, and gastrointestinal conditions. In this study, the gastroprotective activity of methanolic leaf extracts of C. owariensis against prolonged exposure to acidic gastric acid was assessed in male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: This study involved 25 male Wistar rats (180–200 g) divided into five groups (n = 5): Group A–E. Groups A and B were used as normal and test controls given distilled water, whereas Groups C–E were, respectively, administered with methanolic extracts of C. owariensis at dosage of 100 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The mode of administration was oral, and the study period was 21 days. Afterward, gastric mucosal injury was induced in Groups B–E animals through pyloric ligation method. Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of gastric tissues were done to ascertain the degrees of gastric mucosal protection or erosion using gross photographic and histological staining techniques. Results: The gross appearance of internal aspect of gastric tissues showed mildly eroded mucosal surface in treated Groups B–D, but intense erosion was observed in test control Group D. Similarly, for histological results, the treated Groups B–D showed moderate-to-mild mucosal surface erosion compared to intense erosion observed in test control Group E. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicated that prior treatment with methanolic extracts of C. owariensis resulted in gastric mucosal protection in experimental animals exposed to offensive factor such as gastric acid. This gastroprotective activity of methanolic extracts of C. owariensis may be associated with the antioxidant properties of the constituent phytochemical compounds.