Protective and Curative Effects of Physalis peruviana L. Leaves on Experimentally Induced Acute Gastric Ulcers in Guinea Pigs at Lwiro

This study is subscribed in the aspect of research of pharmacological activity of plants
used in traditional Congolese medicine to treat gastric ulcer, particularly Physalis peruviana.
About materials and methods, ulcerogenic activity was evaluated for two ulcerogenic
substances: ethanol 96% and mixture ethanol-HCl. The curative activity was evaluated on 25
guinea-pigs, devised into 5 groups. The first control group received 8ml/kg body weightof saline
solution, the second 20mg/kg of omeprazole solution 0.25% and three experimental groups
received respectively 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 750mg/kg extract leaves of Physalis peruviana
L. On the eighth day of the treatment, the stomach of each guinea pig wasanalyzed; withdrew,
washed and observed. The protector activity was studied into 5 groups. One hour before the
treatment, each group received the ulcerogene (mixture ethanol-HCl) during three days of
treatment. At the fourth day, the stomach of each guinea pig was analyzed as for curative
activity.
After experimentation, results showed ulcerogenic effect in 100% of animals with
ethanol-HCl mixture. The curative activity of the group that received extract leaves 250mg/kg
of body weight showed a similar effect compared to reference group with 100% cure. At the
other hand, the same group (250mg/kg) has revealed protector activity to 77% which is more
than reference group (66.6%).
In conclusion, the results of the present study reveal that leaves extracts of Physalis
peruviana have antiulcer activity, further studies are recommended for to make a plant based
drug against gastric ulcer.
Key words: Gastric ulcer, Physalis peruviana, research of pharmacological activity of plants
used in traditional Congolese medicine, Lwiro, experimentation.