Gastroprotective Effects of the Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Anchomanes difformis (Engl)

Purpose: The tuber of Anchomanes difformis is used by local herbalists in Nigeria especially in the western part of the country for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. The study evaluates the possible gastroprotective properties of the ethylacetate fraction of A. difformis on pylorus ligation and chemically-induced gastric lesions in rats. Methods: Gastroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate extract of A. difformis were investigated using different gastric ulcer models (pylorus ligation, indomethacin-induced and ethanol-induced ulcers in rats). Ranitidine (100 mg/kg, oral) was used as the standard drug. Results: Oral administration of the extract (200 and 500 mg/kg) caused a dose-dependent and significant (p<0.001) reduction in total acid output and severity of ulceration in the pylorus ligation model as well as protection against ethanol-induced and indomethacin-induced ulcerations. These effects were comparable to those of ranitidine on these same models. Addition of 1ml of the extract to 5ml, 0.1 N HCl caused very little variation in pH suggesting a lack of neutralizing ability. Conclusion: Ethylacetate extract of A. difformis possesses gastroprotective activity which may not be due to neutralization of gastric acid but may result from its ability to reduce total acid output, or increase the production of prostaglandins and free radical scavengers that protect the gastric mucosa. The effectiveness of the extract in these ulcer models provides the basis for its local use in this ailment