Assessment of Urtica Aestuans Extract on Ulcer Indices and Histology of Indomethacin Induced Gastric Toxicity

The effectiveness of Urtica aestuans hydro-ethanolic leaf extract on ulcer indices and histopathology in Wistar rats was investigated in the current study. For this investigation, 30 rats were utilized, divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Groups 1 and 2 functioned as the control group (CG) and Indomethacin only group (INDOG - 40mg/kg), Group 3 as the standard drug group (SDG - 200mg/kg), Group 4 as the low dosage extract group (LDEG - 50mg/kg), Group 5 as the medium dose extract group (MDEG - 75mg/kg), and Group 6 as the high dose extract group (HDEG - 200mg/kg) respectively. All the rats received treatment for 14 days before being fasted for 24 hours with unlimited access to water. After a 24-hours fast, 40mg/kg of indomethacin was administered orally to induce gastric ulcers. The leaves of Urtica aestuans significantly (P <0.05) decreased ulcer indicators such as volume of gastric juice, stomach acidity, ulcer index, percentage ulcer inhibition, and gastric pH. MDA significantly decreased as SOD, CAT and GSH levels increased significantly in the extract groups when compared to indomethacin only group (IOG). The acquired data suggests that the antioxidant properties of the plant extract and its active ingredients are responsible for the anti-ulcer actions of Urtica aestuans leaf extract.