Evaluation of Gastroprotective Effect from Phaleria macrocarpa Fruits Extract on Gastric Ulcer in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) triggers gastric mucosal damage and causes ulcers. Meanwhile, studies showed that Mahkota Dewa fruit Phaleria macrocarpa contains secondary metabolites of flavonoids and tannins that can protect the gastric mucosa. AIM: This study aims to determine the gastroprotective effect of P. macrocarpa ethanolic extracts against gastric ulcers in rats induced with acetosal and ethanol. METHODS: The extracts were obtained by maceration method using 96% ethanol as solvent. Phytochemical screening of P. macrocarpa fruit simplicia and extract was carried out using standard methods. The male rats used were divided into seven groups for each test with ethanol and acetosal induction. Each group consisted of five rats, namely, normal control, ulcer control, vehicle control, positive control (sucralfate 360 mg/kg body weight [BW] for ethanol induction method or omeprazole 3.6 mg/kg BW for acetosal induction method), and extract doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW. All groups were given treatment for 7 days except normal and ulcer controls group. On day 6, rats were fasted for 36 h and induced with acetosal or ethanol except normal control. In ethanol induction, the animal was sacrificed after 10 h of oral ethanol administration. While in acetosal induction, the animal was sacrificed 6 h later after oral administration of acetosal. The stomach section was taken for macroscopic, microscopic parameters and gastric acid secretion examination. RESULTS: The results of phytochemical screening showed that the extract contained flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and glycosides. In acetosal-induced ulcers, the administration of one dose of the extract reduced the number and score of ulcers, repair epithelial cells, increase pH, and total gastric acidity. Furthermore, the percentage of ulcer inhibition at the extract dose of 400 mg/kg BW was 91.91 ± 3.74% in ethanol induction and 59 ± 13.08% in acetosal. CONCLUSION: The ethanolic extract of P. macrocarpa has a gastroprotective effect on acetosal-induced and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer rats.