Effects of Piper guineense (Schumach) Leaf and Xylopia aethiopica Seed Extracts on Gastric Acid Secretion in Ibuprofen-Treated Wistar Rats

Background: Gastric ulcer can develop from good foods especially spices and seasonings. Xylopia aethiopica and Piper guineense are comon spices used to prepare favourite delicacies nowadays. Due to their pepperish flavour, they could trigger gastric acid secretion by mucosal irritation. Therefore, the present work tested the effects of methanol extracts of Xylopia aethiopica seed and Piper guinneense on gastric acid secretion in ibuprofen treated wistar rats.

Methods: Rats were given oral administration of 180 mg/kg/day of ibuprofen and/or 200 mg/kg of methanol extract of Piper guineense leaf and/or 300 mg/kg of methanol extract of Xylopia aethiopica seed extract respectively for 14 days. Determination of gastric acid was evaluated with free and total acidity levels, and gastric volume using Topfer's method of gastric analysis.

Results: Gastric acid levels and volume were significantly reduced in Xylopia aethiopica plus ibuprofen treated groups C and F (P < 0.05) compared to ibuprofen only treated group B rats. Piper guineense plus ibuprofen potentiated gastric acid secretion in group D rats compared to group B at P < 0.05. However, Xylopia aethiopica weakly reduced gastric acid secretion in ibuprofen plus Piper guineense treated group E rats although not statistically significant (P > 0.05) compared to control. Group G rats administered only Piper guineense showed significant increase (P < 0.05) in gastric acid secretion compared to control.

Conclusion: Results showed that Xylopia aethiopica seed extract reduced gastric acid secretion whereas Piper guineense increased gastric acid secretio in ibuprofen treated rats.