EVALUATION OF ANTI-ULCER ACTIVITY OF EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS OF DIALUM GUINEENSE ON INDOMETHACIN-INDUCED ULCER MODEL

Background: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is an injury of the duodenal mucous membrane that normally occurs due to an imbalance between the aggressive and the defensive factors. It accounts for an estimated lifetime prevalence of 5-10% globally. Aim: To evaluate the anti-ulcer effect and phytochemical constituents of extract and fractions of the leaves of D. guineense using an indomethacin-induced ulcer model. Methods:  The powdered leaves were cold macerated in 95% v/v of methanol for 48 h. The extract was partitioned successively using ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and n-butanol to obtain their respective fractions. Phytochemical screening was conducted using validated methods. An acute toxicity study was carried out by modified Lorke’s method. The anti-ulcer study was conducted using an indomethacin-induced rat model. Results: The yield of the extract was 4.1% w/w while EtOAc and n-butanolfractions yielded 0.36 and 0.93% w/w respectively. There was presence of tannin, flavonoids, saponins and terpenoids in the methanol extract. Acute toxicity study indicated no mortality or any behavioural changes even at an oral dose of 5000 mg/kg of a mouse. The extract (400 mg/kg) demonstrated the best anti-ulcer activity (p < 0.05), while the 200 mg/kg extract showed comparable anti-ulcer activity to the standard drug. The results further revealed that 400 mg/kg EtOAc fraction elicited the highest curative effect of 66.7%. Conclusion: The extract and fraction of D. guineense leaves displayed a significant anti-ulcer activity and may serve as a potential source of new lead compounds in the treatment and management of ulcers.