EVALUATION OF ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITY OF HYDROMETHANOL CRUDE EXTRACT AND SOLVENT FRACTIONS OF VICIA FABA (FABACEAE) SEEDS IN MICE

Abstract

ackground: Peptic ulcer disease affects 10% of the global population, and its current treatments have several drawbacks. Due to this, various medicinal plants used by traditional medicine practitioners are being investigated for their potential antiulcer activity. The experimental plant Vicia faba has been employed to address gastric ulcers and gastritis in Ethiopia. Objective: To evaluate the antiulcer activity of hydromethanolic crude extract and solvent fractions of the seeds of Vicia faba in mice. Methods: Vicia faba seeds were collected, dried, and extracted with 80% hydro-methanol. The extract was fractionated with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and aqueous solvents. The antiulcer activity of the crude extract and solvent fractions were tested using pylorus ligation and ethanol-induced ulcer models. Repeated dose studies were also performed on both models. The ethanol-induced ulcer was the model on which the crude extract showed the highest ulcer protection and so was selected for further evaluation of the effect of the solvent fractions on it. Results: In a pylorus ligation-induced ulcer model, single-dose studies showed that 200 mg/kg significantly reduced ulcer number, score (P<0.05), and index (P<0.01), providing 39.83% protection. The 400 mg/kg, significantly reduced ulcer number, and score (P<0.01), providing 55.80% protection. In a repeated-dose study, 100 mg/kg significantly reduced ulcer number and score (P<0.05). The 200 mg/kg dose showed stronger effects (P<0.01, for the above parameters, respectively). The highest dose (400 mg/kg) significantly reduced ulcer parameters (P<0.001) and also lowered gastric juice volume (P<0.01), acidity (P<0.05), and raised pH (P<0.01), providing 59.17% protection. All doses of the crude extract had significantly reduced the ulcer index with the same level of significance (P<0.001). In the ethanol-induced ulcer model, singledose crude extract provided an ulcer index protection of 23.39%, 34.90%, and 54.04% at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively. Repeated administration of the crude extract increased ulcer protection to 34.94%, 50.91%, and 65.72% at the same respective doses. All doses of the aqueous and the ethyl acetate fractions also showed antiulcer activity. Conclusion: This study confirmed that Vicia faba seeds crude extract and solvent fractions have significant antiulcer activity, with repeated dosing having a more pronounced effect. The findings provide scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of V. faba seeds as a remedy for gastric ulcers in Ethiopia.