Protective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Fermented Prosopis africana Seeds (Okpeye) in Wistar Rats their Topical Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Activities

Abstract

Background: Anti-inflammatory medications are classified as either steroidal or non-steroidal. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain, lower fever, inhibit blood clot formation, and, at higher doses, reduce inflammation. Their adverse effects vary by drug but commonly include an increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding, as well as potential cardiovascular and kidney complications. Oxidative stress has been recognized as a key pathogenic factor in ulcer development, directly disrupting cellular functions and causing damage to organelles such as mitochondria, lysosomes, and the nucleus. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiulcer effects of aqueous extract of fermented seeds of Prosopis africana (okpeye) in Wistar rats. Study Design: The study design monitors the therapeutic potential of aqueous extract of fermented seeds of Prosopis africana by assessing its anti-inflammatory and antiulcer effects on experimentally induced rats. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Between December 2023 and September 2024. Methodology: The induction of gastric ulcer was carried out using the method of Urushidani. Twenty (20) adult rats of both sexes were used, randomly divided into 5 groups of 4 rats each. They were treated orally with normal saline and varying doses of the aqueous extract of fermented seeds of Prosopis africana. Cimetidine was used as the standard anti-ulcer drug. The In vivo anti-inflammatory study was done using fifteen (15) male Wistar rats. They were divided into five (5) groups of three (3) rats each. Diclofenac was used as the standard anti-inflammatory drug. Results: The result showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of ulcer formation in group 2 animals treated with 100 mg/kg cimetidine (before induction) with respect to the control group 1. The result also showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of ulcer formation in groups 4 and 5 animals treated with 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of extract respectively, when compared with the animals in the control group 1. In the first and second phase of anti-inflammatory study, the result shows that the paw oedema of the rats treated with the extract, decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when compared with the animals in the control group 1. Conclusion: This result shows that aqueous extract of fermented seeds of Prosopis africana (okpeye) aided in the healing of the induced inflammation and chronic ulcer. Hence, the fermented seeds of Prosopis africana (okpeye) has both antiulcer and anti-inflammatory activity.