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Wound healing and antiulcer activities of the ethanol extract of <i>Newbouldia laevis</i> root bark


GA Awemu
LO Okunrobo
FM Awah

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the wound healing and antiulcer activities of the ethanol extract of Newbouldia laevis root bark in rats. Dried root bark of Newbouldia laevis was extracted by maceration in ethanol and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. Qualitative phytochemical analysis and lethality study (LD50) were carried out using standard methods. Wound healing effects of an ointment containing 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of the extract were evaluated in rats using the excision wound model while the antiulcer effects of the ethanol extract at 100 and
200 mg/kg were evaluated in rats using indomethacin induced ulcer model. Results obtained showed that the ethanol extract of Newbouldia laevis root bark had significant (P<0.05) and dose dependent wound healing and antiulcer effects. Percentage wound healing on day 14 of the study at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract were 62, 82 and 95% respectively. Both the wound healing and ulcer protection were comparable with those of standard drugs. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids and terpenoids. The LD50 value obtained was 1296 mg/kg, indicating the safety of the extract. Results of this study vindicate the folkloric use of the plant in wound healing.

Keywords: Newbouldia laevis, Root bark, Healing effect, Antiulcer activity, Ethanol extract


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eISSN: 0189-8442