Evaluation of anti-ulcer activity of crude methanol extract of aerial parts of <i>Costus afer</i> in ethanol-induced and indomethacin-induced ulcer models

Abstract

Peptic ulcer disease is a lesion of the gastric or duodenal mucus membrane that causes abdominal discomfort and even death if not well treated. Most drugs used in handling this disease have side effects and are out of reach for the common man. Hence, there is need to search for a better and affordable ulcer agent from medicinal plants. The study was aimed at evaluating the phytochemical constituents and anti-ulcer activity of the methanol extract of aerial parts of Costus afer in ethanol and indomethacin-induced models. The extraction was carried out by cold maceration and extract was screened for phytochemical constituents. Acute toxicity study was carried out by Lorke's method and the anti-ulcer evaluation was done using ethanol and indomethacin ulcer models. The yield was 4.1 % w/w. The phytochemical constituents present in the extract were alkaloids, tannins, saponins, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, glycoside and carbohydrates. Acute toxicity evaluation indicated no death even at 5000 mg/kg dose. The methanol extract significantly (p 0.05) decreased ulcer index with increase in the ulcer curative property in a dose- dependent manner when compared with control groups. The extract had a better anti-ulcer activity in ethanol- induced model (% Curative = 78% and Ulcer index = 0.8) than indomethacin (NSAID) model (% Curative = 64% and ulcer index = 1.2). In conclusion, the methanol extract of aerial parts of Costus afer possesses significant dose- dependent anti-ulcer activity in ethanol induced ulcer model.