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Gastroprotective Effect of Aqueous Achatina achatina L. (Snail) Slime Extract on Indomethacin- and Acidified Ethanol-Induced Ulceration in Wistar Albino Rats
 
Florence N Nworah, Ifeoma F Chukwuma, Valentine O Nwanelo, Dionysus O Osuji, Sobenna S Onyeso, Golden O Iwuji, Linus N Ngwu, Chigozie P Odo, Charles C Okoroafor, Augustine C Nkwocha and Emmanuel C Ezeako*
 

Pharmacology and Pharm-biology Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
*Corresponding author:emmanuel.ezeako.188647@unn.edu.ng

Abstract   

Snail slime is used widely in African traditional medicine, specifically in Nsukka Enugu, Nigeria, for wound management; however, this claim lacks scientific validation. Herein, we investigated the gastroprotective effect of aqueous Achatina achatina L. (snail) slime extract (ASSE) on indomethacin- and ethanol-induced ulceration in Wistar albino rat models. Biochemical analysis of ASSE showed appreciable levels of manganese, iron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, selenium, Vitamin C, B1, B2, and B3 and a basic pH. The experimental design consists of two Phases (five groups of five rats each). In both Phases, group I (positive control) received 3ml of distilled water, while groups II-V received 20 mg/kg body weight omeprazole (standard drug), 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw ASSE, respectively, via oral intubation. The various treatments lasted for 21-days. Following 24-hours fasting with access to only water (which spanned between the 22nd -23rd day), ulceration was induced separately on the experimental animals in Phase I with a single oral dose of indomethacin (30 mg/kg bw) and in Phase II with a single oral dose of acidified ethanol (1.5 ml/ kg bw), via the gastric gavage. The LD50 study showed safety up to 5000 mg/kg bw ASSE. After induction, a significant (P<0.05) increase in the number of ulcers and mean ulcer index were recorded in group 1 of both Phases; however, rats administered various concentrations of ASSE showed significant (P<0.05) amelioration of the ulceration in both Phases, and these were on par with the standard control. These results suggest that aqueous snail slime extract possesses gastroprotective potential.

To Cite This Article: Nworah FN, Chukwuma IF, Nwanelo VO, Osuji DO, Onyeso SS, Iwuji GO, Ngwu LN, Odo CP, Okoroafor CC, Nkwocha AC and Ezeako EC 2022. Gastroprotective effect of aqueous Achatina achatina L. (snail) slime extract on indomethacin- and acidified ethanol-induced ulceration in wistar albino rats. Pak Vet J, 42(4): 571-575. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2022.071  

 
   
 

ISSN 0253-8318 (Print)
ISSN 2074-7764 (Online)



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