Effects Of The Methanol Extract Of The Leaves Of Psidium Guajava On Gastric Juice Volume And Gastric Juice Ph Of Indomethacinulcerated Rats:- Johnson Chigozie I

ABSTRACT vi Today, there is increasing interest in discovering new bioactive compounds derived from ethnomedicine. Preparations of P. guajava Leaves have traditionally been used to manage several diseases. The objectives of this work were to examine the phytochemical constituents, acute toxicity and lethality and effects ofthe methanol extract of the leaves of P. guajava on gastric juice volume and gastric juice pH ofindomethacin-ulcerated rats. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that the extract contained alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, proteins, steroids, terpenoids and fats and oil but resins, glycosides and acidic compounds were not detected in the extract. The extract at the tested doses [(100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight (b.w)] caused significant (p < 0.05) and dose-dependent decreases in the gastric juice volumes ofthe rats in the test groups compared to the value obtained for rats in the control group. Significant (p < 0.05) and dose-related increases in gastric juice pH ofthe rats in the test groups compared to that ofthe rats in the control group was also brought about by the extract. The effects ofthe 400 mg/kg b.w ofthe extract were similar to those ofthe standard antiulcer drug, famotidine at the dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. The results validate the traditional application ofthe leaves ofP. guajava in the treatment of gastric ulcer.