Mitigating Role of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Ocimum Gratissimum Leaf Extract and Honey on Indomethacin-Induced Gastrointestinal Injury in Rat Model Via Enhancement of Antioxidant Status

Abstract Background Ulcers are common diseases with high prevalence in the society. Ocimum gratissimum (OG) was discovered to possess phytochemicals which could exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials, hence its use traditionally in treatment of various diseases. The study investigated the antiulcer effect of OG ethyl acetate fraction (EAFOG) and honey on indomethacin-stimulated ulcer in male Wistar rats. Extract was obtained by partitioning crude extract between hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol successively using vacuum liquid chromatography. The antioxidant assays were done using spectrophotometric methods. Twenty rats were grouped into normal control, ulcerative untreated and pre-treated groups (100 mg/kg EAFOG, EAFOG/H and 2.5g/kg honey). Results Significant difference was noticed in total acidity and ulcer score between the treated groups and control. The untreated group reveals a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in SOD, catalase, GPx, GST and TSH levels as well as significantly high (p < 0.05) MDA level relative to control in stomach. GST, GPx activities and GSH concentration in both organs displayed significant amelioration relative to control. There was contrast in catalase and SOD activities in stomach between pre-treated groups and control. However, co-administration of EAFOG and honey showed no significant difference in stomach SOD activity compared to control. Improvement was observed in stomach TSH of EAFOG pre-treated animals in comparison with control. Conclusion The results above imply that OG may combat intestinal damage via boosting the antioxidant capacity of the system to ward-off free radicals which are deleterious to the body.