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Protective effects of the aqueous extract of <i>Nymphaea lotus</i> L. (Nymphaeaceae) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers


LB John-Africa
MS Idris-Usman
B Adzu
KS Gamaniel

Abstract

Effects of the aqueous extract of Nymphaea lotus were investigated on ethanol induced gastric lesions in rats. The extract (250, 500, 1000 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05), dose dependently, protected the rat gastric
mucosa against the necrotising effects of ethanol. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenes, and had an oral LD50 of >5000 mg/kg. These results
shows that aqueous extract of Nymphaea lotus contains active ingredients with a therapeutic potential against gastric ulcers, and thus authenticate the use of Nymphaea lotus as an antiulcer agent in traditional medicine.

Keywords: Nymphaeae lotus, ethanol-induced gastric ulcers, gastroprotection,


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1997-342X
print ISSN: 1991-8631