Abstract:

Cinnamomumtamala leaf (Bay leaf) is a natural spice usually preferred because of its food flavor and perceived medicinal values. This study investigated the effect of aqueous bay leaf extract (BLE) on hyperlipidermia and gastric ulceration using male Wister strain albino rats. Forty two male rats weighing 150-200g, were fed with high fat diet (HFD) for 10 days. Hyperlipidemia was established. The rats were divided into 7 groups of 6 rats each. Group 1 received normal saline (5ml/kg) to serve as negative control. Group 2 was fed with HFD for 10 days. Group 3 was treated with 10mg/kg indomethacin (Indo) to induce gastric ulcer. Group 4 was challenged with 10mg/kg simvastatinstandard. Group 5 received 30mg/kg indo with 100 mg/kg cimetidine standard. The hyperlipidemic and ulcerogenic groups 6 and 7 were treated with 200 ad 400 mg/kg BLE respectively. In a dose dependent manner, the BLE significantly attenuated (p<0.05) the serum concentrations of TC, Tg, LDL-C, and VLDL-C; and significantly elevated (p<0.05) the serum level of HDL-C. Similarly, the BLE significantly inhibited the ulcer score by 66.85 and 81.14% respectively, compared with the standard cimethidine, (76.28%). It is conc