Department of Pharmacy & Complementary/Alternative Medicine

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Browsing Department of Pharmacy & Complementary/Alternative Medicine by Subject "disease management"

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    Anti-ulcer activity and safety of mupal ® in a rat model: a herbal product for management of peptic ulcer disease in Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021-08) Kahiga, Titus Muhu; Nicholas K. Gikonyo; Peter. K. Gathumbi; Julius W. Mwangi
    Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a deep gastrointestinal erosion that affects the stomach and the duodenum. There are pharmacological (using conventional drugs) and surgical interventions that form part of management. These interventions have drawbacks, including resistance and adverse effects of conventional drugs. In Kenya, Mupal® powder, a herbal product, has been used to treat peptic ulcers and related disorders for many years. However, a full scientific audit on Mupal® has never been done. The objective of this study was to evaluate Mupal® through an animal model to provide background information on its efficacy, safety, and identification and do a comparative analysis with conventional therapy (Omeprazole) and banana powder in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Water and methanol extracts of Mupal® and banana powders were prepared by maceration at room temperature. Mupal® and banana water suspension were prepared by suspending Mupal® powder in distilled water. White albino rats were used as animal models for both toxicity and efficacy investigations. Ulcer induction in animals was done using 1 ml of 100 % ethanol, and treatment was done with water as a negative control, Omeprazole as a positive control, and Mupal® as the test. Histopathological changes were observed on the first day and the sixth day. For acute toxicity, 250,500 and 1000 mg/kg doses of Mupal® suspension were administered daily for 14 days, and their weights, food intake were monitored; any signs of toxicity were noted. On the 14th day, the animals were sacrificed to study gross histology. The animals were subjected to three doses of Mupal® suspension (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) for the sub-acute toxicity study for 28 days and a ten-day recovery period. Their weights and food intake were monitored, and gross histology was studied. In vivo studies were done to test the effect of a Mupal® extract on clinical isolates of H. pylori. Some pharmaceutical parameters of Mupal® powder were determined. Efficacy results indicated that Mupal® suspension was comparable to Omeprazole in ulcer scores, acid-lowering, and histological findings. The results showed Mupal® was safe on both acute and sub-acute studies at 250 mg/kg doses. However, Mupal® did not have any antimicrobial effect on Helicobacter pylori. Pharmaceutical parameters investigations revealed that Mupal® contains high levels of saponins and moderate levels of flavonoids. TLC results showed that Mupal® had more compounds as compared to bananas. The current study demonstrated that Mupal® is a safe alternative, efficacious herbal medicine in managing ethanol-induced peptic ulcers in rats. The results warrant further studies that could involve long-term double-blind clinical trials.