EVALUATION OF THE ANTIULCER ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF Sida acuta leaves

ABSTRACT

Sida acuta Burm f (Malvaceae) thought to have originated from central America although it has a pantropical spread and is considered a weed in many locations. Its stem and leaf are used to treat various ailments, including ulcers. In an attempt to establish its pharmacological potential, the antiulcer activity of the methanol extract of Sida acuta leaves was evaluated. The air-dried leaves of the plant was extracted with methanol by maceration. Albino rats were administered the methanol extract at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg orally after 48 h fasting. They were subjected to absolute ethanol-induced gastric ulcer after 1 h of extract administration. Omeprazole (30 mg/kg) was used as the positive control. The extract exhibited significant antiulcer activity. At 100mg/kg dose of extract it showed 34.82% activity, 52.65% activity at 200mg/kg and 28.57% activity at 400mg/kg extract The extract possesses antiulcer and cytoprotective activities which could be attributed to its phytochemical constutients such as its flavonoid and phenol content. These findings provide more informations regarding the potential of methanol extract of Sida acuta for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcer