Authors : P.A. Akah, O. Nnaeto , C.S. Nworu and A.C. Ezike
Abstract: The methanol and the n-hexane leaf extracts of Napoleona vogelli (Lecythidaceae) were investigated for antiulcer properties using 3 experimental ulcer models induced by ethanol, indomethacin and hypothermic- restraint stress in rats. Anti-ulcer related properties of the extract such as gastrointestinal transit, the activity on isolated gut tissue preparations and the antimicrobial activities were also determined. Ethanol-induced ulcer was significantly (p< 0.05) protected by HE (200 and 400 mg kg 1) and by ME (800 mg kg 1).The extracts ME (400 and 800 mg kg 1) and HE (200 and 400 mg kg 1) showed significant and dose-related (p< 0.05) protection of the rats against indomethacin-induced ulcers. The stress ulcer was not protected by the administration of ME (200, 400 and 800 mg kg 1), but was significantly (p< 0.05) protected by HE at 400 mg kg 1. The extracts appear to exhibit better protection against indomethacin and ethanol-induced ulcers than against the stress ulcer. Gastrointestinal propulsion in mice was significantly (p< 0.05) reduced, in a dose-dependent manner by the methanol extract an n-hexane fraction of N. vogelii. On the rabbit jejunum, ME and HE showed a concentration-dependent antispasmolytic effect and inhibited ACh-evoked contractile response with IC50 of 389.05 and 372.73 �g mL 1, respectively. The extracts inhibited the growth of the bacteria used in the study but had no activity against the fungi tested. The ME showed better antibacterial activity than the HE. The methanol leaf extract administered orally up to 5000 mg kg 1 did not produce lethality or signs of acute toxicity in mice after 24 h. Flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrate, terpenes, resins, steroids and alkaloids were found present in the extracts of N. vogelii. Gastro-protection and antispasmodic mechanisms could be responsible for the anti-ulcer properties of this plant.
P.A. Akah, , O. Nnaeto , C.S. Nworu and A.C. Ezike , 2007. Medicinal Plants Used in the Traditional Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Diseases: A Case Study of Napoleona vogelii Hook and Planch (Lecythidaceae) . Research Journal of Pharmacology, 1: 67-74.