CURATIVE STUDY ON THE ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ACALYPHA WILKESIANA (COPPER LEAF) IN ASPIRIN INDUCED GASTRIC ULCERATION IN SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS.
Wali Catherine Chukwumuanya*, Okewumi Tolunigba Abisola, Aligwekwe Athanasius Ugochukwu, Aguwa Ugochukwu, Ugochukwu Arinze Kingsley and Asuquo Akaninyene Efa
ABSTRACT
This study was undertaken to evaluate the activity of methanolic extract of Acalypha Wilkesiana in aspirin induced gastric ulceration in Sprague dawley rats. Thirty (30) adult wistar rats weighing between 160-240g were divided into six groups consisting of five rats each. Gastric ulceration was induced with aspirin (200mg/kg). Groups I- received no treatment, while groups II-VI received various treatments consisting of aspirin only (200 mg/kg), aspirin (200mg/kg0 with Acalypha wilkesiana (100 mg/kg 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg) and Acalypha wilkesiana (300mg/kg). At the end of the experiment (day 7) rats were sacrificed and their stomachs were harvested and fixed in 10% formalin solution. Ulcer index, size, number, gastric acid secretion and the histological changes were observed. The reduction in ulcer index was stepwise as the dose of the extract increased. Administration of Acalypha wilkesiana had no significant effect on gastric acid and gastric volume. Post treatment with A. wilkesiana reduced the severity of aspirin induced gastric ulcer. Cimetidine (standard drug 20mg/kg) was used to treat ulcer also and compared with the extract. Methanolic extract of A. wilkesiana at a dose of 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg reduced ulcer incidence when compared to the control group. This work suggests that the Acalypha wilkesiana has antiulcer potentials due to the presence of tannins and saponins.
Keywords: Ulcer, Acalypha wilkesiana, aspirin, stomach.
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