Experimental evaluation of antiulcer and gastrointestinal effects of Bridelia ferruginea stem bark

The methanol extract (ME) of dried powdered stem bark of B. ferruginea obtained by 48 hr cold maceration was subjected to solvent guided fractionation in a silica gel column using petroleum ether, dichloromethane and methanol successively to yield the petroleum ether (PF), dichloromethane (DCMF) and methanol (MF) fractions. The extract (ME) and fractions (DCMF and MF) were assessed for antiulcer activity using indomethacin and ethanol induced ulcers in rats. The effects of the extract and fractions on small intestinal transit was studied using charcoal meal test, also the effect of extracts and fractions on isolated guinea pig ileum and acetylcholine induced contractions of the isolated guinea pig ileum were studied. The extracts and fractions were assessed for acute toxicity and lethality (LD50)1 and phytochemical constituents (2,3). Collected data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and further subjected to LSD Post Hoc tests. The extract (200 and 400mg/kg) and fractions (200 and 400mg/kg) significantly (P<0.05) protected the rats against ethanol and indomethacin-induced ulcers, and inhibited small intestinal propulsion in the order DCMF >MF>ME. In addition, MF (0.03–4.27mg/ml) elicited no inhibition, while DCMF(3.3–27µg) antagonized acetylcholine-induced contractions of the guinea pig ileum; whereas ME (0.03–4.27mg/ml) contracted the guinea pig ileum. Oral LD 50 was estimated to be 2,154mg/kg. The results suggest that the stem bark of Bridelia ferruginea contains constituents with antiulcer potency, in addition to non-polar spasmolytic and polar spasmogenic constituents.

References: 1. Lorke D. (1983) Arch. Toxicol. 53: 275–289.

2. Harborne JBC. (1973) Phytochemical methods. London: Chapman and Hall;. p.279.

3. Trease GE, Evans WC. (1983) Drugs of biological origin. In: Pharmacognosy 12th ed. United Kingdom: Balliere Tindall. p.309–540.