Protective Antiulcer Property of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Euphorbiaceae) Seed Oil and Its GC/MS Profile

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Peptic ulcer has remained a disease of public health concern. Current therapies are not ideal, necessitating the search for better alternatives. This study evaluated the antiulcer property of Ricinodendron heudelotii in rats. Methods: Seed oil from R. heudelotii was extracted and subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening. Gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was performed to determine its phytoconstituents. Oral acute toxicity and antiulcer property were evaluated in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were pretreated with doses of 20 and 40 mL/kg of the seed oil on ethanol and aspirin-induced gastric ulcer models with ulcer index, percentage ulcer protection, gastric volume, and gastric pH as the parameters, and cimetidine as the standard drug. Results: Qualitative analysis of the oil showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, saponins, glycosides, steroids, and fixed oil. GC/MS characterization of the oil revealed 21 distinct constituents with phthalates as the most abundant. There were no noticeable toxicological signs at the dose of 5000 mL/kg. Pretreatment with 20 mL/kg and 40 mL/kg of the seed oil, and 400 mg/kg of cimetidine protected by 65.45%, 56.70% and 65.74% respectively against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Similarly, in aspirin-induced ulcers, protection was 70.26%, 71.35%, and 64.23% following pretreatment with cimetidine (400 mg/kg), seed oil (20 mL/kg) and seed oil (40 mL/kg) respectively. Gastric volume and gastric pH were significantly reduced in rats pretreated with the seed oil or cimetidine in comparison with control. Conclusion: The seed oil extract from R. heudelotii appears safe and has a protective effect against animal models of gastric ulcers. Therefore, the oil has potential for use in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease.