Low anti-ulcerogenic potentials of essential oils and methanolic extract of Croton zambesicus leaves

Objective: This study evaluated the anti-ulcer properties of Croton zambesicus leaves. Materials and Methods: Group 1 was Control. 40mg/kg/bodyweight of Indomethacin (the ulcerogen) was administered to rats of Groups II – VII. Four hours after administrations of ulcerogen; rats of Groups III – VII were treated daily with oral administrations of 40mg/kg/bodyweight of Omeprazole, 5 and 10mg/kg/bodyweight of essential oils, 250 and 500mg/kg bodyweight of methanolic extract of Croton zambesicus leaves respectively for four days. Rats were euthanized on Day 1 (Group II) and Day 5 (Groups I and III – VII); thereafter, stomach and liver samples were removed for evaluations of gastric acidity, histo-pathological and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) status. Results: Analyses of gastric acid assays and histo-pathological examinations showed dose-dependent statistically significant higher levels (P≤0.05) of gastric acidity and non-restorations of the gastric mucosa layer to pre-ulceration states in rats of Groups IV – VII treated with extract doses when compared to Group III. Statistically non-significant (Group IV) or significant (Groups V - VII) higher ALT levels (P≤0.05) were observed in liver samples of rats treated with doses of essential oils and methanolic extract of Croton zambesicus leaves when compared to Group II. Conclusion: Our study observed low anti-ulcerogenic potentials of doses of essential oils and methanolic extracts of Croton zambesicus leaves.