Peptic ulcer is one of the leading causes of gastrointestinal surgery with high morbidity and mortality rates. This study assessed the anti-ulcerogenic effect of the chloroform extract of Chasmanthera
dependens on indomethacin and aspirin-induced ulcer in rats. Fifty (50) adult rats were divided into
two broad groups of twenty five rats each for aspirin and indomethacin models respectively. For
each model, twenty five adult rats divided into five groups of four rats each were used for ulcer
study. They were acclimatized for one week to laboratory conditions and fed with rat chow and water
al libitum. Two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, indomethacin and aspirin were used for ulcer
induction. They produced ulcer through topical mucosal irritation and inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. For each model, groups 3, 4 and 5 received the extract at doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg
and 400 mg/kg while groups 1 and 2 served as the normal and standard control groups receiving
3 mg/kg normal saline and 100 mg/kg of ranitidine respectively. After acclimatization, the rats were
starved for 18 hours, then, extract doses, normal saline and ranitidine were intraperitoneally administered to the various groups. Thirty minutes later, the ulcer inducing agents 100 mg/kg (indomethacin
and aspirin) were administered orally. The rats were kept under protection for another 8 hours before
being sacrificed by chloroform anesthesia. Their stomachs were isolated, cut along the greater
curvature and displayed for ulcer rating on a PVC board. Ulcer lesion in the groups were scored
and counted. The results of ulcer index obtained showed that rats pre-treated with the extract had
significant (p < 0.05) decrease in ulceration when compared to rats of the normal control. From this
study, the chloroform extract of Chasmanthera dependens root showed ulcer inhibitory properties
which were better than that exhibited by the standard drug (ranitidine).
Keywords: Anti-Ulcerogenic, Indomethacin, Aspirin-Induced, Ulcer, Chloroform Extract.
