Gastroprotective Effects of Guava (<i>Psidium guajava</i> L.) Leaf Infusion in Aspirin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Male Wistar Rats

Gastric ulcers are characterized by damage to the mucosal and submucosal layers and arise from an imbalance between protective and injurious factors. Active constituents of Psidium guajava leaves have been reported to possess gastroprotective properties. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of guava leaf infusion (GLI) in protecting against aspirin-induced gastric lesions in male Wistar rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were allocated into five groups (n=4) and administered orally by gavage one of the following once daily for seven days: GLI at doses of 675, 1350, or 2700 mg/kg body weight; ranitidine at 27 mg/kg body weight (positive control); or 2 mL distilled water (negative control). One hour after, gastric injury was induced by aspirin (9 mg/kg body weight) given orally in all groups. Lesion area percentage and ulcer depth were assessed. A significant reduction in the percentage of gastric mucosal lesion area was observed in the 1350 mg/kg GLI group compared to the positive control (p=0.040), and a more pronounced reduction was noted in the 2700 mg/kg GLI group (p= 0.008). Ulcer depth scoring indicated a significant difference between the 675 and 1350 mg/kg GLI groups (p=0.040), and a highly significant decrease was found in the 2700 mg/kg GLI group relative to the negative control (p=0.008). Administration of guava leaf infusion was demonstrated to confer gastroprotection by attenuating both the area and depth of aspirin-induced gastric mucosal lesions.