Effects Of The Methanol Extract Of The Leaves Of Anacardium Occidental On The Concentration Of Total Proteins And Specific Activity Of Catalase In Indomethacin-Ulcerated Rats:- Nwankpa, Ugomma P

ABSTRACT V Medicinal plants such as Anacardium occidentale are used in the treatment of various ailments such as gastric ulcer and hence, the phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity and lethality and effects ofthe methanol extract ofthe leaves ofA. occidentale on the concentration of total proteins and specific activity of catalase of indomethacinulcerated rats were determined using standard methods. The qualitative phytochemical analyses revealed the presences of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, proteins, steroids, terpenoids and fats and oil. Resins, glycosides and acidic compounds were not detected in the extract. The extract was found to be safe even at a dose as high as 5000 mg/kg body weight (b.w). The extract at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w significantly (p < 0.05) and dose dependently increased the concentration of total protein and specific activities of catalase ofthe rats in groups 4, 5 and 6 when compared to the values obtained for the rats in the ulcer-untreated group (Group 2). The data of this study thus, explain the rationale for the use of the leaves of A. occidentale in treating ulcer in traditional medicine.