Volume 4

January-March 2012

Investigation of the anti-ulcer activity of chloroform leaf extract of Aspilia africana in rats

Nwachukwu C Daniel, Okwuosa N Chukwugozie

Abstract:
The gastroprotective ability of chloroform leaf extract of Aspilia africana against ulcer was investigated using male albino wistar rats. Aspirin was used to induce ulcer in the gastric mucosa while omeprazole was the standard anti-ulcer drug used. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terprenoids, proteins and tannins. Acute toxicity test showed an oral LD50 greater than 5000mg/Kg. Results showed that chloroform leaf extract at different doses of 250mg/Kg and 500mg/Kg demonstrated significant protection against ulcer with mean ulcer indices of 5.04 ± 1.20 and 0.84 ± 0.15 respectively compared with negative control (3% Tween 80) with mean ulcer index of 9.42 ± 0.73. The higher dose of the extract demonstrated greater protective ability with percentage ulcer protection (91.1%) similar to that of omeprazole (92.8%). Thus, chloroform extract of Aspilia africana was able to protect the stomach against ulceration caused by aspirin.

Keywords: Aspilia Africana, Chloroform Extract, Ulcer, Omeprazole, Gastroprotection.