Anti-ulcer and Analgesic Activities of the Leaves of Capparis sepiaria L. and Maerua angolensis DC. (Capparidaceae)

Abstract

The leaves of Capparis sepiaria and Maerua angolensis are consumed by some populations in Burkina Faso and are traditionally associated with gastrointestinal uses. This study evaluated the anti-ulcer and analgesic activities of aqueous leaf extracts of both plants in mice. Gastroprotective activity was assessed using ethanol-induced gastric ulcer models under acute and chronic conditions, while analgesic activity was evaluated using acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions. In the acute model, Capparis sepiaria extract at 500 mg/kg produced 92% protection of the gastric mucosa, compared with 96% for sucralfate. The ulcer index decreased from 10 at 300 mg/kg to 4.83 at 500 mg/kg for Capparis sepiaria. In the chronic model, the ulcer index decreased from 0.83 in the ulcer control to 0.08 with selected extract treatments, and extracts of both plants showed a better healing of ulcer lesions at all tested doses after seven days of treatment. Analgesic activity increased with dose. At 500 mg/kg, Maerua angolensis produced 75% inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal contortions, equal to the inhibition observed with paracetamol at 100 mg/kg. These findings indicate that the leaf extracts exhibited gastroprotective, ulcer-healing, and analgesic activities under the experimental conditions used. They provide a scientific basis for further evaluation of these plants for the development of improved traditional medicines or nutraceutical applications for gastrointestinal disorders.