Abstract

ASPIRIN-INDUCED ULCEROGENIC AND NEPHRITIC DAMAGE IN WISTAR RATS: EFFECT OF ANDROGRAPHIS PANICULATA

Arhoghro Ejovwoke Marcellinus*, Ezomoh Olusoga Olubunmi, Erigbali Peter, Ching Fidelis Poh and Sule Jimoh Olayiwola

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a methanol extract of Andrographis paniculata on aspirin-induced ulcerogenic and nephritic damage in Wistar albino rats. 50 rats weighing about 150– 250 g were distributed into five equal groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 (normal control) and group 2 (positive control) received normal saline (10 ml/kg), groups 3 and 4 received 200 mg/kg body weight and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract, respectively, and group 5 (standard control) received 30 mg/kg body weight Omeprazole orally for 7 days. On the eighth day, groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 were administered 200 mg/kg of aspirin orally. After 24 hours, the animals were euthanized using chloroform anaesthesia, and blood was taken using a heart puncture for kidney function analysis. The kidneys and gastrointestinal tracts were removed and preserved in 10% formalin for histological analysis. Other portions of the organs were homogenised for the purpose of carrying out superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) assays. The results obtained showed that administration of aspirin increased plasma urea and creatinine (p ≤0.05) compared to normal control. Also, the kidney and gastrointestinal tract tissue SOD and CAT activities were significantly (p ≤0.05) decreased. However, pretreatment with a methanol extract of Andrographis paniculata significantly (p ≤0.05) reversed these biochemical changes when compared to the positive control. Administration of aspirin also caused distortion in the histological architecture of the kidneys compared to normal control. Pretreatment with a methanol extract of Andrographis paniculata, however, protected the animals from this damage compared to the positive control. The study revealed that the methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata had nephroprotective and antiulcerogenic properties.

Keywords: Andrographis paniculata, Gastrointestinal tract, Ulcerogenic, Nephro-protective, Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase, Omeprazole, Aspirin.