Prophylactic Efficacy of Aqueous Extract of Curcuma longa against Indomethacin-Induced Ulcer in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

Evaluation of the anti-ulcerogenic and prophylactic efficacy of aqueous extract of Curcuma longa on indomethacin-induced ulcer in albino rats was the aim of this study. Thirty adult male rats of body weight between 150 and 200g were used and were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group I was treated with 0.8mg/ml of Omeprazole for seven days. Group II was treated with a solution of 0.8 g/ml Curcuma longa for seven days, while group III received distilled water for seven days. This group served as the control group. Groups IV, V and VI were treated similarly as groups I, II and III respectively but were treated for fourteen days. Gastric ulceration was induced in the rats by the administration of 50 mg/kg indomethacin after pre-treatment with distilled water, omeprazole and Curcuma longa for 7 and 14 days respectively. Significant ulcer inhibition was produced in the groups treated with Curcuma longa and Omeprazole when compared with control groups at p<0.05, but omeprazole-treated group showed greater ulcer inhibition (72.60 % and 74.29 %) when compared with the Curcuma longa -treated groups (46.53% and 43.84%) after 7 and 14 days respectively. This study showed that Curcuma longa possesses anti-ulcerogenic properties and can be used as herbal remedy for the prevention of gastro-intestinal ulcers.