Effects Of The Ethanol Extract Of The Leaves Of Annona Inuricata On The Concentration Of Total Proteins And Specific Activity Of Catalase Of Aspirin-Ulcerated Rats

ABSTRACT

Herbal remedies have been used in many parts of the world where access to formal healthcare is limited. The objectives of this work were to examine the phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity and lethality and effects of the ethanol extract of the leaves of A. inuricalci on ffie concentration of total proteins and specific activity of catalase of aspirin-ulcerated rats. The preliminary phytochem ical screening revealed that the plant leaves contained alka oids, flavonoids, taimins. saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, steroids, terpenoids and fats and oil but resins, reducing sugars and acidic compounds were not detected. The extract at the tested doses [100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w) caused significant (p < 0.05) and dose-dependent increases in the concentrations of total proteins and specific activities of catalase of the rats in the test groups compared to the values obtained for the rats in the ulcer- untreated groups (group 2). The effects of the 400 mg/kg b.w of the extract were similar to those of the standard anti-ulcer drug, ranitidine at the close of 1 50 mg/kg b.w. The results indicate that the ethanol extract of the leaves of A. muricata contains some pharmacological active principles which supports the local use of the plant leaves in the treatment of gastric ulcer.