Protective effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves against diclofenac-induced gastric mucosal damage

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius is one of the plants used in folk medicine for the treatment of peptic ulcer. However, the present study was designed to validate the gastro-protective effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves using diclofenac-induced ulcer model. The gastro-protective effect of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves was evaluated by employing diclofenac–induced gastric ulcer in rats. Gastric mucosal lesions were induced by oral administration of diclofenac in rats. The pH of gastric juice from pylorus-ligated rats was measured. Histological examinations of the gastric tissues were also carried out. The present findings showed that Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf methanol extract exerted gastro-protective activity, as demonstrated by its consistent significant and dose dependent increase in mean ulcer index (MUI) inhibition against gastric mucosa damage induced by diclofenac treatment. Histological investigation of the gastric lesions showed that the plant stimulates the scarring cicatrizing process and thereby maintaining the architecture of the mucosal surfaces. The gastro-protective effect observed could be related to the therapeutic properties of the phytoconstituents of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius extract. Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaves possess gastro-protective property in a dose dependent manner.