Biochemistry & Pharmacology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Wound Healing and Anti-Ulcerogenic Activity of Gardenia angustifolia Extract in Rats

Omale James, Abbah Okpachi Christopher, Ojogbane Eleojo Berikisu, David Ede Patience and Adah Gabriel Onuche

Gardenia angustifolia is widely utilized in many parts of Nigeria to manage a wide range of ailments. As part of effort to elucidate its pharmacological activities and hence medicinal potential, wound healing and anti-ulcerogenic properties of the extract was evaluated using experimentally created wound and ulcers in albino rats. Wound healing properties was evaluated using excision wound model, while anti-ulcer activity was studied using ethanol induced ulcer model. Five groups of rats were experimentally wounded at the back area. An area of uniform wound of 7×7 mm using millimeter ruler was excised. The animal groups were topically treated with Gardenia angustifolia gel, wound dressed with leaf, fruit and root gel significantly healed earlier than those treated with paraffin base and povidone iodine (standard). In anti-ulcer studies, rats were orally administered with different doses of the root extract (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) and positive control group (Omeprazole, 8 mg/kg body weight) for five days. After induction of ulcer using 5 ml/ kg body weight of ethanol, the stomach of the rats was opened, gastric volume and ulcer area were measured. The results indicated that Gardenia angustifolia root extract could prevent ulceration in rats in a dose dependent manner. The acute toxicity study revealed that the plant could be toxic at higher doses. Blood glucose reduction was dose and time dependent. From this study it is evident that G. angustifolia possess anti-ulcer properties and also wound dressed with the root, leaf and fruit gels significantly enhanced the acceleration of wound healing in rats.