THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF Gongronema latifolium ON WISTAR ALBINO RATS INDUCED WITH INDOMETHACIN

This study was to determine the protective effects of Gongronema latifolium on male Wistar albino rats induced with indomethacin. Twenty-five (25) male Wistar albino rats weighing 150 g were used in this study. The rats were randomly selected and divided into five groupsof five rats. Groups A, B and C were blank, negative and positive controls while Groups D and E were low (100 mg/kg) and high (400 mg/kg) dose treated groups of the extracts ofGongronema latifolium respectively. Rats were housed in metallic cages and allowed to acclimatize for fourteen days. The ulcerative index increased significantly in group B at(p<0.05) (68.00±2.83) but the low dose treated groups reduced significantly (p<0.05) after oral administration of 100 mg/kg of Gongronema latifolium extract at 12.00±4.24. The percentage ulcer inhibition increased significantly p<0.05 (77.68±4.61) when treated with standard anti-ulcer drug for the Group C. The percentage of ulceration reduced significantly(p<0.05) (38.26±6.09) when treated with low dose (100 mg/kg) of Gongronema latifolium for Group D. The pH value was at the lowest level at the negative control group (Group B) at (p<0.05) (2.92±0.63) but was significantly increased (4.60±0.18) (p<0.05) when treated with high dose of extracts of Gongronema latifolium. Indomethacin induced ulcer increased the mucosa acidity of wistar albino rats (Group A) with the highest value (p<0.05) (5.29±0.12), but when treated with low dose (Group D) of Gongronema latifolium, it significantly reduced(2.75±1.061) (p<0.05). This study shows Gongronema latifolium is potent, effective and efficacious due to its phytochemical properties that have antioxidants potentials.