Abstract:
The study was designed to investigate the antiulcer activity of methanol/methylene chloride (1:1) of Combretum obanense using different models of gastric ulceration in rats. Gastric ulcers were induced by oral administration of aspirin, ethanol and water immersion resistant stress. The extract was administered at a dose of 200, 400 and 800mg/kg orally one hour prior to ulcer induction. Cimetidine (50 mg/kg) was used as a reference standard. The antiulcer activity was accessed by determining and comparing the ulcer index in the test group with that of the standard drug treated group. The ulcer index in the C. obanense treated animals was found to be significantly less in all the models compared to standard drug treated cases. The results suggest that C. obanense possesses significant antiulcer property which could be due to cytoprotective action of the drug or strengthening of gastric mucosa with the enhancement of mucosal defense or due to the presence of secondary metabolites found in the plant.
