Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Leaf Potential in the Prevention of Peptic Ulcer in Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study is aimed at investigating the potential of aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaf in the prevention of indomethacin-induced ulcer. To achieve this, thirty adult male rats of body weight between 150 and 200g 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 Moringa oleifera leaf 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 Moringa oleifera leaf for 7 and 14 days respectively. Significant ulcer inhibition was produced in the groups treated with M. oleifera 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 Moringa oleifera leaf-treated groups (53.43% and 57.58%) after 7 and 14 days respectively. This study showed that M. oleifera leaf possesses anti-ulcerogenic properties and can be used as herbal remedy for the prevention of peptic ulcers.