GASTROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF THE COMBINED AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM AND CHROMOLAENA ODORATA ON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED PEPTIC ULCER IN WISTAR RATS

Cyril Agbor*

ABSTRACT

The effect of the combined extracts Chromolaena odorata and Ocimum gratissimum leaves on duodenal ulcer was evaluated by using the ethanol induced ulcer model. Twenty adult albino wistar rats of either sex weighing between 100 and 150 g were randomly allotted into five groups with four animals each: Normal control, ulcer control, Low dose (250mg/kg), High dose (500mg/kg) and Omeprazole (30mg/kg). The low and high doses of the combined extracts were administered once daily for 14 days. After treatment, the animals were fasted for 24 hours and gastric lesions were induced by the administration of 80% ethanol via oral intubation 60 minutes before sacrifice. Sections of the duodenal tissue of the rats were excised for histopathologic analysis using light microscopy to assess gastric mucosal lesions, presence of necrosis, and degree of inflammation. Pre-treatment with the combined extracts reduced the formation of duodenal lesions in a dose dependent manner. The standard reference drug also exhibited some inhibition of ulcer from ethanol. The results obtained, provides evidence of gastro-protective activity of the combined leaf extract of Chromolaena odorata and Ocimum gratissimum and supports the traditional use of these plants for the treatment of ulcer.

Keywords: Duodenal ulcer, Chromolaena odorata and Ocimum gratissimum leaves, Gastro-protection.