title: Effect of Gongronema latifolium ethanol leaf extract on gastric acid secretion and cytoprotection in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gongronema latifolium leaves have been used in folklore medicine to manage diabetes mellitus and alleviate dyspepsia. This study aimed to provide a pharmacological basis to the medicinal use ofGongronema latifolium as an antidiabetic and antiulcerogenic agent in diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ethanol extract from the leaf (200 mg/kg bodyweight) of Gongronema latifolium was administered to both streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control groups orally for 14 days. Gastric acid secretion was measured and ulcer was induced using ethanol and four-hour pyloric ligation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean bodyweight was significantly lower (p < 0.01), while the mean weight of the stomach, liver and small intestine to bodyweight ratio was increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the two diabetic groups compared to control. Extract significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the blood glucose level similar to the non-diabetic control. Basal and stimulated acid secretion in diabetic control rats was significantly (p < 0.01) decreased when compared to control. Extract administration increased the stimulated gastric acid secretion to a level significantly (p < 0.05) higher than control while reduction in gastric secretion by ranitidine was similar compared with control. Gongronema latifolium treatment significantly (p < 0.05) reduced ulcer scores in both ulcer models and increased mucus weight in the diabetic group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that Gongronema latifolium antiulcerative activity is due to its prevention of chemical-induced stomach injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica. d_owu@yahoo.com
authors.forename: D U
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Owu
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Nwokocha
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Obembe
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Essien
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ikpi
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Osim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029062:Apocynaceae; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005744:Gastric Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011899:Ranitidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012636:Secretory Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011899:Ranitidine