ANTI-SECRETORY, GASTROPROTECTIVE AND ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITIES OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PHRAGMANTHERA CAPITATA S. BALLE IN RATS

Phragmanthera capitata is mistletoe (parasitic plant) that grows on other plants including avocado trees. Leaves infusion or decoction is claimed to treat amongst other ailments abdominal pains by herbalists in Cameroon. Our goal was to evaluate possible secretory, gastro and ulcer activities of aqueous extract of P. capitata (AEPC) in indomathacin induced gastric ulcer and pylorus ligation induced gastric ulcer (PLIGU) in albino rats. Preliminary phytochemical and toxicity assays were performed following standard procedures. To evaluate indomethacin induced gastric ulcer, control group received 10 ml/kg normal saline, standard group received 100 mg/kg cimetidine, test groups received AEPC (100, 200 and 300 mg/kg). To evaluate PLIGU, treatment was same as indomethacin induced ulcer.  Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey test used as post hoc. In preliminary phytochemical assays AEPC revealed the presence of terpenoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, anthraquinones, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols. In acute oral toxicity assay, AEPC was safe up to a concentration of 3000 mg/kg in mice. In anti-ulcer evaluation AEPC decreased significantly (P <0.05) the number of ulcers, ulcer scores and ulcer index in both indomathacin and PLIGU.  PLIGU rats also showed significant (P <0.05) decrease in gastric volume, total acidity, free acid and an increase in pH of gastric fluid. These results, undoubtedly, suggest that AEPC possesses significant anti-secretory, gastroprotective and anti-ulcer activities in a dose-dependent manner. These findings thus corroborate the use of the extract in folkloric practice