Gastro-protective effect of crude hexane leaf extract of Sesamum indicum in rabbits.

The gastroprotective effect of the hexane extract of the leaves of Sesamum indicum (HESI) was investigated in twenty-eight male rabbits. Gastroprotective activity against necrotizing agent induced ulceration was studied. Gastric wall mucus was determined by standard methods. Anti-secretory activity was determined in twelve pyloric-ligated rabbits. Phytochemical and acute toxicity tests were performed. Results showed that the hexane extract of S. indicum significantly reduced gastric ulcers induced by necrotizing agent when compared with values obtained with the negative control (p<0.01). Pre-treatment with graded doses of HESI significantly increased gastric mucous in a dose dependent manner when compared with negative control (p<0.001). Misoprostol significantly protected rabbits from necrotizing agent induced ulceration by 99.9% when compared with negative control (p<0.01). Misoprostol also significantly increased mucous turnover with mean gastric mucous of 597.75 ± 4.70μg Alcian blue/g wet tissue when compared with the negative control (p<0.001). Additionally, treatment with HESI resulted in a significant increase in gastric fluid after histamine stimulation in pyloric-ligated rabbits when compared with the negative control (p<0.001). The extract of S. indicum also significantly decreased titratable acidity of histamine treated rabbits and increased gastric pH when compared with negative control (p<0.001). HESI significantly protected rabbits from ulceration after histamine administration in 4 hour pyloric ligated rabbits with a percentage protection of 79.3% (p<0.001). The extract also increased the volume of gastric fluid significantly after 4 hr pyloric ligation (p<0.01). Cimetidine protected pyloric-ligated rabbits from ulceration (92.1%) (p<0.001) and also raised the gastric pH (p<0.001), protein concentration in the gastric fluid (p<0.001), and reduced the titratable acidity (p<0.001) when compared with the negative control. The leaves of S. indicum possess gastroprotective properties.