ANTI-ULCER POTENTIALS OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF ARTOCARPUS ALTILIS (BREADFRUIT) ON ASPIRIN INDUCED GASTRIC ULCER IN ALBINO WISTER RATS.

Ajah A. A.*, Amah-Tariah F. S., Obia O. and Iwu I. C.

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-ulcer activities of methanol extract of breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) on aspirin induced gastric ulcer. A total of 30 male albino rats weighing about 120- 200kg were used. Animals were divided into five groups of six rats each. Group I was the control group (Aspirin induced only), Group II, III IV are Low, Medium and High dose of extract (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg) respectively and Group IV (Omeprazole), the standard drug used. The parameters recorded were percentage of animals with gastric ulcer (UP), ulcer index (UI) and percentage protection of ulcer (%P). From the results, the control group had highest (100%) percentage ulcer incidence (UI) while the percentage ulcer incidence decreased drastically with increasing dose of the methanol extract of breadfruit (83.32 ± 0.005, 66.66 ± 0.005, 33.33 ± 0.004) and omeprazole (16.16 ± 0.004). Similarly, there was a significant (p≤0.005) decrease in ulcer index from Group I through II, III, and IV to V (11.67 ± 0.00; 9.51 ± 0.005; 7.51± 0.005; 3.66± 0.005 and 1.82± 0.005) respectively and a corresponding dose dependent increase in % protective ability of the extract in comparison to the control and omeprazole (Group I 0.01± 0.005; Group II 18.58 ± 0.005; Group III 35.73± 0.004; Group IV 68.58 ± 0.005 and Group V 84.32 ± 0.004) However statistical analysis showed that this increase percentage protection in ulcer incidence with increasing amount of doses of extract was significant (p≤0.005). Hence, the results concluded that methanol extract of breadfruit has significant anti-ulcer activities.

Keywords: breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis), aspirin, omeprazole, gastro protective, gastric ulcer, ulcer index.