Pharmacological mechanism of antiulcer activity of chromatographic Fraction B obtained from <i>Acacia nilotica</i> seedpods in experimental rats

Abstract

Acacia nilotica (Lam) is an important multipurpose tree with many indigenous uses. It is most widely found in Northern Nigeria, tropical and sub-tropical countries. It is used therapeutically to alleviate and manage many illnesses. Acacia nilotica seedpod is used in local traditional medicine to treat gastric-related disorders. The present study was aimed at evaluating the possible mechanism of gastroprotection of chromatographic fraction B derived from Acacia nilotica n-butanol partitioned extract using ethanol for ulcer induction. Chromatographic fractionation of the n-butanol solvent partitioned extract yielded three different fractions (FA, FB, and FC). The possible mechanism of action of FB was assessed by investigating the involvement of endogenous nitric oxide, non-protein sulfhydryl group, and prostaglandin. The ulcer index of ulcerated rats pre-treated with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) which is a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and subsequently administered with Fraction B was not significantly higher (p>0.05) from rats in the ulcerated group. Similarly, Pre-treatment with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), a blocker of endogenous sulfhydryl to ethanol-induced ulcerated rats that were treated with chromatographic FB gave an ulcer index that was not significantly different (p>0.05) from the ulcerated control group. However, prostaglandin synthesis inhibition by pretreatment with indomethacin did not affect the gastroprotective activity of FB. The study concludes that the observed anti-ulcerogenic activity exhibited by chromatographic Fraction B of Acacia nilotica n-butanol partitioned extract is possibly due to the increase in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and endogenous sulfhydryl group.