Anti-Helicobacter pylori and antiulcerogenic activity of Aframomum pruinosum seeds on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.
BACKGROUND
Peptic ulcer is one of the most common diseases affecting mankind. Although there are many products used for its treatment, most of these products produce severe adverse reactions requiring the search for novel compounds. Some Afromomum species are used traditionally to cure acute gastritis.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the antiulcer activity of the methanol extract of Aframomum pruinosum Gagnepain (Zingiberaceae) seeds against two major etiologic agents of peptic ulcer disease; Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.


METHODS
The anti-Helicobacter activity of A. pruinosum was evaluated using the broth microdilution method. After oral administration of indomethacin (5 mg/kg) for 5 consecutive days, gastric ulcerated animals were divided into control group and five other groups: three groups that recieved respectively 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg of plant extract, the fourth group received Maalox (50 mg/kg) and the fifth group, Misoprostol (100 μg/kg), respectively, for 5 days. Ulcer areas, gastric mucus content and nitric oxide gastric levels of animals were assessed 24 h after this treatment.


RESULTS
A. pruinosum extract shows a moderate anti-Helicobacter activity with an MIC value of 128 μg/mL. A. pruinosum extract, like Misoprostol and Maalox, markedly reduces the % of ulcerated area from 8.15 ± 0.33 to 1.71 ± 0.44% (500 mg/kg). It also increased significantly mucus and NO gastric production with respective values of 4.44 ± 1.35 and 965.81 ± 106.74 μmol/g (500 mg/kg).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that A. pruinosum methanol extract possesses antiulcer properties as ascertained by the comparative decreases in ulcer areas, increase of mucus and NO gastric production.
a Microbiology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science , University of Dschang , Dschang , Cameroon.
Laure Brigitte
LB
Kouitcheu Mabeku
a Microbiology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science , University of Dschang , Dschang , Cameroon.
Blandine
B
Nanfack Nana
a Microbiology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science , University of Dschang , Dschang , Cameroon.
Bertrand
B
Eyoum Bille
a Microbiology and Pharmacology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science , University of Dschang , Dschang , Cameroon.
Roland
R
Tchuenteu Tchuenguem
b Gastroenterology Department , Laquintinie Hospital of Douala , Douala , Cameroon.
Eveline
E
Nguepi
D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D007213:Indomethacin; D008276:Magnesium Hydroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009093:Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013997:Time Factors; D030521:Zingiberaceae / Q000737:chemistry*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012997:Solvents; D016595:Misoprostol; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C013591:aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, drug combination; D000536:Aluminum Hydroxide; D008276:Magnesium Hydroxide; D007213:Indomethacin; D000432:Methanol
Gastroduodenal diseases; herbal drugs; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs