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E-mail address: [email protected] 1 Antisecretory effects of Watermelon (Citrullus 2 lanatus) juice in male albino rats 3 4 Francis S.Oluwole 1 , Morufu. E .Balogun 1 , *Adedeji. G .Temitope 1 5 1 Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State. Nigeria. 6 7 8 . 9 ABSTRACT 10 11 Aims: To evaluate the effects of the juice of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) on gastric acid secretion and pH in Indomethacin-induced ulceration in male albino rats. Study design: The experiment was divided into two studies. Under each study, four groups of rats were pre-treated with distilled water (control), 25% watermelon, 50% watermelon and 100% watermelon juice respectively for 30 days. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, between June, 2011 and July, 2012. Methodology: Sixty-four animals in total were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into two experimental studies: Study I contained thirty-two rats which were used for the study on ulcerogenesis. Study II also contained thirty-two rats which were used for the study on gastric acid secretion. The stomachs of animals in the first study were also used to assess the possible histological changes in ulcerated animals after pretreatment with watermelon. Each of the experimental studies was further divided into four groups in accordance with the study design. Results: Rats pre-treated with Citrullus lanatus juice exhibited significant dose-dependent reduction of gastric lesions formation (P<0.05). Histological examination showed that gastric acid secretion was more prominently reduced in the 100% watermelon juice treated group increasing with decreased dosage. Also, ulcerogenesis in the pretreated groups was significantly lower than that observed with the control (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) juice has a significant gastroprotective effect in Indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. One of the mechanisms by which this protective effect is carried out is by its inhibition of gastric acid secretion 12 Keywords: Gastric Ulcer, Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, Gastric acid secretion 13 14 15 16 1. INTRODUCTION 17 18 Pathophysiology of ulcer is due to an imbalance between aggressive factors (acid, pepsin, 19 Helicobacter pylori, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs etc.) and local mucosal defensive 20 factors (mucus, bicarbonate, blood flow, prostaglandins etc.). Integrity of the gastro- 21 duodenal mucosa is maintained through a homeostatic balance between these aggressive 22 and defensive factors [1]. Studies have shown a correlation between increased gastric acid 23 secretion and predisposition to peptic ulcer [2][3]. Factors that cause a decrease in basal 24 and maximal gastric acid output will therefore have protective capabilities on the gastric 25 mucosa, acting as a defence against ulcerogenesis, a characteristic that is used in the 26 treatment of ulcers [4]. 27

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Page 1: Antisecretory effects of Watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus ...€¦ · Each watermelon 61 was washed to remove dirt and cut into smaller pieces. The thick outermost back and the 62 seeds

E-mail address: [email protected]

1

Antisecretory effects of Watermelon (Citrullus 2

lanatus) juice in male albino rats 3

4

Francis S.Oluwole1, Morufu. E .Balogun1, *Adedeji. G .Temitope1 5

1 Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State. Nigeria. 6

7 8 .9 ABSTRACT 10

11

Aims: To evaluate the effects of the juice of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) on gastric acid secretion and pH in Indomethacin-induced ulceration in male albino rats. Study design: The experiment was divided into two studies. Under each study, four groups of rats were pre-treated with distilled water (control), 25% watermelon, 50% watermelon and 100% watermelon juice respectively for 30 days. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, between June, 2011 and July, 2012. Methodology: Sixty-four animals in total were used for the experiment. The animals were divided into two experimental studies: Study I contained thirty-two rats which were used for the study on ulcerogenesis. Study II also contained thirty-two rats which were used for the study on gastric acid secretion. The stomachs of animals in the first study were also used to assess the possible histological changes in ulcerated animals after pretreatment with watermelon. Each of the experimental studies was further divided into four groups in accordance with the study design. Results: Rats pre-treated with Citrullus lanatus juice exhibited significant dose-dependent reduction of gastric lesions formation (P<0.05). Histological examination showed that gastric acid secretion was more prominently reduced in the 100% watermelon juice treated group increasing with decreased dosage. Also, ulcerogenesis in the pretreated groups was significantly lower than that observed with the control (P<0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) juice has a significant gastroprotective effect in Indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration. One of the mechanisms by which this protective effect is carried out is by its inhibition of gastric acid secretion 12 Keywords: Gastric Ulcer, Watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, Gastric acid secretion 13 14 15 16

1. INTRODUCTION 17

18 Pathophysiology of ulcer is due to an imbalance between aggressive factors (acid, pepsin, 19 Helicobacter pylori, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs etc.) and local mucosal defensive 20 factors (mucus, bicarbonate, blood flow, prostaglandins etc.). Integrity of the gastro-21 duodenal mucosa is maintained through a homeostatic balance between these aggressive 22 and defensive factors [1]. Studies have shown a correlation between increased gastric acid 23 secretion and predisposition to peptic ulcer [2][3]. Factors that cause a decrease in basal 24 and maximal gastric acid output will therefore have protective capabilities on the gastric 25 mucosa, acting as a defence against ulcerogenesis, a characteristic that is used in the 26 treatment of ulcers [4]. 27

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Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), family Cucurbitaceae can be both fruit and plant of a vine-28 like (scrambler and trailer) plant originally from southern Africa, and is one of the most 29 common types of melon. It has been reported that watermelon juice is naturally rich in 30 citrulline [5]. The amino acid citrulline was first extracted from watermelon and analyzed by 31 Wada in 1930 [6] [7], and it has been reported that the body records a significant amount of 32 citrulline after consumption of several kg [8]. The citrulline which exists in watermelon is a 33 known stimulator of Nitric oxide. Similarly, the citrulline in watermelon can be metabolized to 34 L-Arginine [9], a known source of endogenous NO which inhibits gastric acid secretion [10], 35 and also enhances plasma concentrations of pancreatic glucagon which is a physiological 36 inhibitor of gastric acid [11]. Several studies have indicated that NO affects the secretion of 37 gastric acid. For instance, in vitro studies have shown that NO stimulates secretion of gastric 38 acid in the mouse [12] [13] bulldog [14] and in dogs [15]. However, other investigations have 39 shown that NO inhibits gastric acid secretion in rat [16] [17], in gastric glands isolated from 40 rabbits [18], and in mucosa from toads [19]. Studies in humans have equally provided 41 conflicting data [20] [21]. A recent study has reported that rats treated with methanolic 42 extract of Citrullus lanatus (MECL) seeds showed significant decrease in the gastric volume, 43 free acidity and total acidity and significant percentage inhibition of ulcer [22]. Many 44 experimental studies have been performed to evaluate the anti-ulcer and gastroprotective 45 activities of Citrullus lanatus [23] [24], however this study was undertaken to assess 46 secretion of gastric acid as a possible mechanism for the anti-ulcer activity of watermelon in 47 Indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. 48

49

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS / EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS / METHODOLOGY 50

51 2.1 Experimental Animals 52 Male albino rats of Wistar strain weighing between 200 and 280g obtained from Pre-Clinical 53 Animal House, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria were used for 54 these studies. They were maintained under standard laboratory conditions and were fed with 55 commercially formulated rat pellets (Ladokun feeds, Ibadan) and tap water given ad libitum. 56 Excess feeds and water were removed and replaced daily. 57 58 2.2 Watermelon Juice Extraction 59 Watermelon fruits were purchased from Bodija market, Oyo state, Nigeria. Each watermelon 60 was washed to remove dirt and cut into smaller pieces. The thick outermost back and the 61 seeds were removed. The remaining red-colored endocarp was blended using an electric 62 blender. A clean sifter was used to separate the juice from the solid particles. Fresh 63 preparations of the watermelon juice were prepared daily. 64 65 2.3 Experimental Design 66 A total of sixty-four (64) animals were used for the study. The animals were divided into two 67 groups, each of thirty-two (32) animals, each group being for a different study. The first study 68 involved animals that underwent experimental Indomethacin-induced peptic ulceration. 69 These were used to assess the degree of ulceration in control and pretreatment test groups. 70 Animals in the second study were assessed for both basal and maximal (histamine-induced) 71 gastric acid secretion. Each of the studies was further divided into a control (distilled water) 72 as well as experimental (25, 50 and 100% watermelon pretreatment) groups. 73 74 2.3.1 Determination of Ulcerogenesis 75 This was carried out as earlier described by Elegbe [25]. Twenty-four hours before the 76 experiment, food was withdrawn but the animals were allowed free access to water. Ulcer 77 was induced by single-dose oral administration of Indomethacin (40mg/kg; Merke, Sharp 78 and Dohme). This was dissolved in distilled water to form a suspension and administered to 79 all animals under this study. Four hours after administration, the animals were sacrificed and 80

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their stomachs removed and examined for ulcers macroscopically using a hand lens. Gastric 81 lesions and scoring of ulcers were assessed as previously described by Alphin and Ward 82 [26] and modified by Elegbe [25]. 83

84

Table 1 : Ulcer Scoring (Alphin and Ward, 1967) 85

ULCER SCORE CRITERIA

0 Normal Stomach/No ulcer

0.5 Punctuate or pinpoint ulcers

1.0 Two or more small haemorrhagic ulcers

2.0 Ulcers greater than 3mm in diameter.

86

2.3.2 Histological Evaluation 87

Rat stomachs were washed in normal saline and fixed in 10% buffered formalin solution for 88 histological studies. Histological sections of the gastric walls were made at a thickness of 89 5µm and stained with Harris hematoxylin for five minutes and 0.5% eosin for two minutes. 90 Each step was carefully followed by a rinse in distilled water. 91

2.3.3 Determination of Gastric Acid Secretion 92 The study was carried out using the continuous stomach perfusion technique described by 93 Ghosh and Schild [27] and modified by Amure and Ginsburg [28]. This was used together 94 with the titration method described by Olowokorun [29]. However, for basal acid secretory 95 response, early morning gastric contents were collected and thereafter, gastric acid 96 secretory response to histamine was collected. 97 The animals were anaesthesized with 25% w/v urethane (ethylcarbamate) at a dose of 98 0.6ml/100g body weight. A tracheal cannula was then inserted via an incision in the neck to 99 ensure normal breathing throughout the course of the experiment. An abdominal incision 100 through the linea alba was made to expose the stomach, and a semitransection made at the 101 junction of the pylorus with the duodenum. A pyloric cannula was inserted and tied to collect 102 gastric contents. An orogastric cannula was inserted for perfusion of pre-warmed 103 (temperature 37

0C) 0.9% normal saline (pH 7) at a rate of 1ml/minute using the Langerdoff’s 104

apparatus. The animals were kept warm by a 100 watts electric lamp to prevent 105 hypothermia. Cotton wool soaked in normal saline (9g NaCl in 1 litre of distilled water) was 106 placed on the opened abdominal cavity to prevent dehydration. 107 Gastric acid was collected through the pyloric cannula at 10 minutes intervals. In order to 108 determine acidity, 10ml of the stomach perfusate was titrated against 0.0025N Sodium 109 Hydroxide (NaOH) solution with phenolphthalein as indicator. Titrable acidity was expressed 110 in micro (µ) equivalence/litre/10mins. The histamine-induced gastric acid was collected 30 111 minutes post-surgery at which time a steady (basal) acid secretion had been obtained. 112 113 2.3.4 Measurement Of pH 114 Samples of gastric contents (1ml) were analyzed for hydrogen ion concentration using a pre-115 calibrated Beckman pH meter. The electrodes were rinsed with distilled water several times 116 and later calibrated using standard buffer solutions of pH 4 and pH 7. This calibration is 117 accurate at ± 0.1 pH 118

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2.4 Statistical Analysis 119 The results of the experiment were analysed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with 120 Newman Keul’s post-hoc analysis test 121

122

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 123 124 Table 2 below shows the effects of watermelon juice on ulcerogenesis in rats in which 125 gastric ulceration was induced using Indomethacin 126

GROUPING NUMBER OF ANIMALS PER

GROUP

MEAN ULCER SCORE (MEAN ± SEM)

P-VALUE P=0.05

CONTROL 5 8.69±0.10 25% WPT 5 2.31±0.06 S 50 WPT 5 1.75±0.10 S 100 WPT 5 0.25±0.10 S

127 WPT = Watermelon juice pretreatment 128 s= significantly different from control 129 130

131 Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the stomach of rats pretreated with 100% 132 watermelon; from right to left are the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis mucosae, and serosa 133 layers all well-defined.The epithelial cells are intact and tightly arranged. 134 135 136

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Figure 2 above shows a cross-section of the stomach of rats pretreated with 50% 137 watermelon. There is severe erosion of the mucosal layers. There is evidence of mild 138 ulceration. Arrow points to an ulcer. 139

140

141 142 Figure 3 shows a cross-section of the stomach of rats pretreated with 25% watermelon. 143 There is severe disintegration of the epithelial cells. The black arrows point to the 144 disintegration while the blue points to an ulcer. 145

146

147 Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the stomach of control rats. There are numerous 148 hemorrhagic ulcers. The blood vessels are split open and the mucosa is stained with blood. 149 The epithelium is broken. 150

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151

152 153 Figure 5: Effect of Watermelon Juice on Mean Gastric Acid pH In Rats 154 155

Table 3: Effect of Watermelon Juice on Gastric Acid Secretion in Rats 156

Groups Gastric Acid Secretion µEq/100 body weight

A (Distilled water) 88.75±29.86 B (100% watermelon) 10.00±0.01* C (50% watermelon) 10.50±2.21* D (25% watermelon) 31.25±11.06* E (10mg/kg Sodium Nitroprusside, SNP) 83.25±27.52

*Significantly different from the control (Distilled water only) at P<0.05 157

158

From Figure 5, the animals pretreated with 100% watermelon juice had a mean pH of 3.41, 159 which was lowest in the pretreated groups while the other two showed an increase in pH 160 comparable to those pretreated with Sodium Nitroprusside, which had a higher mean pH 161 (3.73) than the control. 162

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The anti-ulcerative activity of watermelon was investigated using Indomethacin. The 163 numbers of ulcers formed (determined by the Mean Ulcer Score) by this anti-inflammatory 164 drug was significantly lower in the animals pretreated with watermelon. All the animals on 165 watermelon supplementation showed a significant reduction in Mean Ulcer Score when 166 compared with rats on distilled water only (Table 2). 167 168 Figure 1 showing the histological appearance of rats’ stomachs in the group treated with 169 100% watermelon showed no indication of serious ulceration as the epithelial cells are tightly 170 arranged and mucosa intact. However, the histological appearance of stomachs in the 171 control group shows vessels split open, haemorrhagic ulcers, mucosal damage and broken 172 epithelium (Figure 4). Thus, the normal rats (control) showed the most severe and deepest 173 mucosal necrotic damage of the submucosal layer compared with the experimental groups. 174 Gastric acid secretion in the treatment groups was significantly lower than that in animals 175 given distilled water only (control animals). 176 177 Pathophysiology of ulcer is due to an imbalance between aggressive factors (gastric acid, 178 pepsin, Helicobacter pylori, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) etc, and local 179 mucosal defensive factors (mucus, bicarbonate, blood flow and prostaglandins). The 180 integrity of gastroduodenal mucosa is maintained through a homeostatic balance between 181 these aggressive and defensive factors [1]. When levels of acid and proteolytic enzymes 182 overwhelm the mucosal defence mechanism, ulcer occurs [30]. Also, gastric acid output has 183 considerable effect on the rate of ulcer healing [31]. 184 185 In the experimental animals, watermelon showed a protective effect on the stomach mucosa 186 against experimentally-induced ulceration. There was a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in 187 ulcer formation in test animals pretreated with watermelon juice in concentrations of 25%, 188 50% and 100% when each was compared individually with the control. This reduction was 189 however not dose-dependent. 190 191 The findings of this study also suggest that watermelon causes a significant reduction in 192 gastric acid secretion. When compared individually with the control group, all treatment 193 groups (100%, 50% and 25% watermelon pre-treatment) exhibited a decrease in gastric acid 194 output. This implies that watermelon increasingly inhibits gastric acid secretion as the dose 195 increases. The H

+ content (pH) of the secreted gastric juice however did not show a 196

significant reduction in all test animals. Sodium nitroprusside, a well-known NO-releasing 197 compound caused a slight reduction in gastric acid secretion, but when compared with the 198 control however this was not significant (P ˃ 0.05). 199 200 It was earlier reported that Nitric oxide inhibits gastric acid secretion in rats [12] [13]. 201 Watermelon is an edible source of L-Citrulline, a compound vital in the vital production of 202 Nitric oxide and its consumption increases the level of citrulline significantly [4]. It is therefore 203 safe to assume that one of the mechanisms by which watermelon causes a decrease in 204 gastric acid secretion is by increasing citrulline levels thereby stimulating an increase in nitric 205 oxide production. This will lead to a decrease in gastric acid secretion as confirmed by 206 Brown et al [16] and Kato et al [17], which in turn accounts, at least in part, for the observed 207 and documented gastroprotective effect of watermelon in Indomethacin-induced peptic 208 ulceration. When related to the insignificant decrease observed in animals to which Sodium 209 nitroprusside was administered, it is obvious that the lowering of gastric acid secretion seen 210 in test animals pretreated with watermelon is mainly due to other mechanisms apart from the 211 action of nitric oxide. It is pertinent to state here that other mechanisms of gastroprotection 212 such as increase in mucus secretion, stimulation of prostaglandins, increase in mucosal 213 blood flow etc, could also be involved in the antiulcerative actions of watermelon, however, 214

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these are beyond the scope of the present study but should and will be taken into 215 consideration in future investigations. 216 217

4. CONCLUSION 218

219 In conclusion, the results of this study have shown that watermelon exhibits a 220 gastroprotective, antiulcerative effect on the stomach. The observed significant reduction in 221 mean ulcer count in this work may likely be explained by the antisecretory effect of 222 watermelon, which significantly reduces the formation of ulcers. An inhibition of gastric acid 223 secretion can be adduced to be one of the factors responsible for this protective effect. The 224 inhibition is therefore hypothesized to probably be due to the high levels of Citrulline 225 contained in watermelon, Citrulline being a stimulant for nitric oxide, which has been 226 reported to have antisecretory effects. The study is by no means exhaustive, as other 227 possible mechanisms of nitric oxide’s protective capabilities were not explored (e.g. 228 improvement of mucosal blood flow). Also, watermelon contains a lot of active substances, 229 of which Citrulline is only one. Future research work will be focused on the establishment of 230 the roles of these other substances, as well as other pathways of Citrulline and Nitric oxide, 231 in conferring protection against ulcer formation. 232

233

COMPETING INTERESTS 234 235 Authors have declared that no competing interests exist 236

237

AUTHORS’ CONTRIBUTIONS 238

239 Author 1 and 2 designed the study, wrote the protocol, and wrote the first draft of the 240 manuscript. Author 3 managed the literature searches, carried out the analyses of the study, 241 wrote and edited all subsequent drafts of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the 242 final manuscript. 243 244

CONSENT (WHERE EVER APPLICABLE) 245 246 Not Applicable 247 248

ETHICAL APPROVAL (WHERE EVER APPLICABLE) 249

250 All authors hereby declare that "Principles of laboratory animal care" (NIH publication No. 251 85-23, revised 1985) were followed, as well as specific national laws where applicable. All 252 experiments have been examined and approved by the appropriate ethics committee. 253 254

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