Aqueous fruit pulp of Dalium guineense protects against gastric acid secretion and decrease pepsin activity in albino wistar rats

The effect of aqueous fruit pulp of Dalium guineense on gastric acid secretion and pepsin activity was investigated. Thirty male albino Wistar rats weighing between 170-200g were used. The rats were randomly selected into three groups containing 10 rats each. Group 1 was the control group fed on normal rat chow. Group 2 received 300mg/kg extract orally. Group 3 received 500mg/kg extract orally. At the end of 6 weeks, gastric acid output was measured using the continuous perfusion method of rat stomach. Animals were placed under anesthesia at the rate of 1ml/min. Gastric acid secretion and pepsin activity were determined according to standard procedures. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in gastric acid secretion and pepsin activity in the treated groups. The results suggest that Dalium guineense can protect against gastric acid secretion and decreases pepsin activity in the rat.