Gastroprotective, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of the Aqueous Root Bark Extract of Cassia arereh Del. (Caesalpiniaceae) in a Wistar Rat Model

Aims: The objective of this study is to evaluate gastric cytoprotective, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of aqueous root bark extract of Cassia arereh (AECA).

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biological Sciences (Animal Physiology Laboratory, Biochemistry Laboratory), Higher Teachers’ Training College and Department of Organic Chemistry (Laboratory of medicinal chemistry), Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I. Between August 2015 and December 2016.

Materials and Methods: Phytochemical screening of AECA was carried out. Experimental Wistar rats were used to evaluate the antiulcerogenic effects by four methods: HCl/ethanol; indometacin - HCl/ethanol; indomethacin and pylorus-ligated. The gastric ulcerations, mucus production, pH, volume and acidity of the gastric juice were measured. Some parameters of oxidative stress (SOD and MDA) were measured in stomach samples obtained from the animals in the indomethacin model. The inhibition parameters of the bacterial growth to the extract were determined by the micro-dilution assay.

Results: The phytochemical screening revealed that the AECA contained bioactive substances such as triterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, saponins, tannins and lipids. AECA (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) dose-dependently prevented ulcer formation by HCl/ethanol (11.13%, 23.51% and 55.26% of inhibition), indomethacin/HCl-ethanol (14.78% and 41.20% for 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively), indomethacin (10.39%, 40.26 and 87.01%) and pylorus ligature (2.25%, 28.60% and 40.99%). The inhibitory effect of the extract against HCl/ethanol induced ulcer was decreased by the pre-treatment with indomethacin (30 mg/kg, i.p.). ECO reduced Shay-ligated gastric acid secretion from 81.80±02.39 mEq/l in the controls to 56.00±06.49, 53.70±04.76 and 42.75±07.49 mEq/l for the extract doses 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. AECA is bactericidal on all strains tested with MIC = 250 μg / ml and MBC / MIC ratio = 2. The prophylactic action of AECA was associated with significant increases in gastric mucus production. The levels of SOD were improved and the levels of MDA were decreased in rats treated with the extract.

Conclusion: The antiulcer activity of AECA was attributed to its ability to reduce acid secretion, to enhance mucosal defense, to improve in vivo antioxidant status and for its antibacterial properties.