December 2015 Vol. 3 No.12

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Original Research Article

Anti-Ulcer Effect of Methanol Extract of the Root Bark of Entandrophragma Angolense (Meliacaea) in Rodents

Ebere Ayogu^1*, Collins Onyeto², Kosisochi Amorha¹, Florence Mbaoji² and Ifeoma Nwabunike²

¹Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
²Department of Pharmacology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: ebere.ayogu@unn.edu.ng/ebereayogu@yahoo.com
Tel: +2348039307396

Accepted November 30, 2015

Abstract

The anti ulcer activity of methanol extract (ME) of the root bark of Entandrophragmaangolense, as acclaimed by herbalists was studied. The ME obtained by soxhlet extraction was subjected to anti-ulcer screening at different dose levels (200, 400, 800 mg/kg b.w.) using indomethacin and ethanol induced ulcer models. Cimetidine 100 mg/kg b.w. and 5 ml/kg b.w. solvent (Distilled water) served as positive and negative controls respectively. Acute toxicity and phytochemical screening were also carried out. The results revealed that ME exhibited a non significant (p>0.05) dose-dependent anti-ulcer effect against both ulcer-induction models, compared to the negative control. This effect was not comparable to that shown by the positive control (cimetidine). The qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of saponin, protein, tannin, glycosides, reducing sugar, resins, steroids and terpenoids, while the acute toxicity test showed no obvious sign of toxicity up to >5,000 mg/kg b.w. These findings demonstrated the potentials for methanol extract of Entandrophragmaangolense as an anti-ulcer agent, hence substantiating its ethnomedical use in ulcer treatment by herbalist.

Keyword: Anti-ulcer, Entandrophragmaangolense, Ethanol, Indomethacin, Rodent