Anti-ulcer Activity of Ethanol Root Extracts of Cassia sieberiana D.C. in Albino Rats

Aims: The study was aimed at investigating the anti-ulcer activity of Cassia sieberiana fractionated root extracts using ethanol induction model in laboratory rats.

Study Design: This is an experimental laboratory report on phytochemical screening, acute toxicity and anti-ulcer investigations that will provide scientific information on ulcerogenic potential of Cassia sieberiana root.

Place and Duration of Study: The work was carried out at the Department of Pharmacognosy/ Drug Development and Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria from April, 2012 to February, 2013.

Methodology: Cassia sieberiana root were extracted with absolute ethanol for 48 h using cold maceration method .Reconstituted in aqueous solution, fractionated with ethylacetate and butanol. The extracts were subjected to phytochemical, toxicity experiment and anti- ulcer evaluation using ethanol – induced gastric ulcer in laboratory rats. A standard anti-ulcer agent, cimetidine was used as reference. The data were analyzed by one-way Analysis of Variance at (p<0.05).

Results: The total solid recovered from crude extract of C. sieberiana root yielded 80 g. The extract was dark brown in color with pleasant smell and pasty inconsistency. The weight of various fractions determined were ethylacetate (14.01 g), butanol (9.98 g), Aqueous (7.80 g). Preliminary phytochemical studies revealed the presence of anthraquinone saponins, glycosides, tannins, steroid, flavonoids in the ethylacetate fraction. LD50 was above 5000 mg/kg and did not cause mortality in all the tested rats. Ethanol triggered severe gastric ulcers with mean ulcer index (53.8±2.4 mm) and pretreatment with C. sieberiana extracts of ethylacetate fraction (EAF) and n-butanol fraction (NBF) at (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg) produced a significant (p < 0.05) dose dependent anti-ulcer activity with increase in percentage preventive index (72%, 91% and 100%) for EAF and (46%, 81%and 97%) for NBF fractions. cimetidine has 88% preventive index.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that C. sieberiana has anti-ulcer potentials and it justified the traditional uses of this plant root in ulcer treatment.