Evaluation of Antiulcer Activity of 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of the Root of Croton macrostachyus Hocsht: Ex Del. (Euphorbiaceae) in Rodents

BACKGROUND: Peptic ulcer disease causes significant mortality and morbidity. Plant kingdom provides a useful source for the development of new antiulcer agents. Croton macrostachyus is traditionally used to treat peptic ulcer in Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the antiulcer activity of C. macrostachyus root extracts in rodents using different models. METHODS: The crude extract was obtained by cold maceration in 80% methanol and fractionated with chloroform, ethyl acetate, and distilled water. The antiulcer activity was evaluated using pylorus ligation-induced ulcer model in Sprague Dawley rats and acidified ethanol-induced ulcer model in Swiss albino mice. The test groups received three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) of the crude extract and fractions for 7 days before induction of ulcer. Positive controls received omeprazole 30 mg/kg for the pylorus ligation-induced ulcer model and sucralfate 100 mg/kg for the acidified ethanol-induced ulcer model. Negative controls received vehicle (2% tween 80). RESULTS: The crude hydromethanolic extract of C. macrostachyus showed significant (p < 0.05) antiulcer activity on both pyloric ligation and HCl/ethanol-induced ulcer in rats and mice. It has antisecretary effect (p < 0.001) as well. All three administered doses of chloroform fraction (p < 0.05) and only higher doses of ethyl acetate fraction (p < 0.05) possessed significant antiulcer activity. In contrast, the aqueous fraction did not have significant antiulcer effect at all tested doses. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the crude extract, chloroform, and ethyl acetate fractions possessed significant dose-dependent antiulcer activity.