Gastroprotective Mechanisms of Garcinia kola Seed Extract Against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration in Rats

International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology | Vol. 15, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 233–244

DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000187

Article Type: Original Research Article

Title: Gastroprotective Mechanisms of Garcinia kola Seed Extract Against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration in Rats

Names of Authors: Olumide A. Adefegha¹, Blessing I. Nwosu²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria; ²Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria

Abstract:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin frequently induce mucosal erosions due to prostaglandin depletion and oxidative injury. This study investigated the gastroprotective mechanisms of Garcinia kola seed extract (GKSE) against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in Wistar rats. Thirty adult rats were randomized into five groups (n = 6). Group I (normal control) received saline; Group II (ulcer control) received 40 mg/kg indomethacin orally; Group III received misoprostol (20 μg/kg); Groups IV and V were pretreated with GKSE at 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 14 days prior to indomethacin administration. Gastric secretions were collected to analyze pH and total acidity, and macroscopic mucosal lesions were scored to compute the ulcer index (UI). Indomethacin induced severe mucosal necrosis with a UI of 5.82 ± 0.44 in Group II. Pretreatment with 500 mg/kg GKSE significantly decreased the UI to 1.34 ± 0.22 (p < 0.001), showing a protective efficacy comparable to misoprostol (1.12 ± 0.15). GKSE increased gastric juice pH from 2.15 ± 0.20 to 4.65 ± 0.35, while significantly reducing total acid output (p < 0.01). Histological sections confirmed that GKSE preserved mucosal gland structural alignment and minimized neutrophil filtration. These findings reveal that Garcinia kola protects the gastric mucosa by suppressing acid secretion and preserving epithelial architecture against NSAID-induced oxidative stress.

Keywords: Garcinia kola, Gastric Ulcer, Indomethacin, Gastroprotection, Acid Output, Wistar Rats

Manuscript Timeline: Received: July 15, 2026; Revised: August 22, 2026; Accepted: September 05, 2026; Published: September 21, 2026

Citation: Adefegha O.A., & Nwosu B.I. (2026). Gastroprotective Mechanisms of Garcinia kola Seed Extract Against Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulceration in Rats. International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology, 15(9), 233–244. DOI: 10.46882/2026/IJAP/000187

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