Effect of intragastric administration of crude aqueous leaf extract of Anacardium occidentale on gastric acid secretion in rats.

The effect of an aqueous leaf extract ofAnacardium occidentale on gastric acid secretion was tested in rats. Twenty (20) Wistar albino rats were used for the gastric acid assay experiment. The rats were divided into 2 groups of 10 each. Gastric acid output was determined by continuous perfusion of rat stomach in urethane anesthetized rats. Control gastric acid output was obtained using 0.9% sodium chloride as perfusate and extract induced gastric acid output was obtained by perfusion with 0.1% solution of Anacardium occidentale Intragastric administration of the extract caused significant increase in mean gastric output (P <0.05). Atropine (5μg/100g,) lM and Cimetidine (5mg/100g), IM. significantly inhibited the extract induced gastric acid secretion via muscarinic and histaminic receptors respectively. Our findings showed that the use of the plant extract as a single anti-gastric ulcer therapy may not involve lowering of acid secretions rather it may be due to its anti Helicobacter pylori effect.