Abstract
Preparations of Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel.) Benth. (Rubiaceae) are widely used in Northern Nigeria in the therapeutic management of trypanosomiasis, malaria and painful inflammatory disorders. Previous studies have shown that the methanolic stem bark extract of Crossopteryx febrifuga possesses significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties possibly mediated via Non-selective inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase pathways. In the present study, the methanolic stem bark extract of Crossopteryx febrifuga was evaluated against ethanol- and piroxicam-induced ulceration in rats. Histopathological studies of the rat stomach tissues were also carried out in order to determine its safety profile on the gastrointestinal tract (git). The extract (25, 50 and100 mg extract/kg body weight) significantly (P<0.05) and dose-dependently reduced ulcer index induced by ethanol (24 - 92%) and piroxicam (81.81- 98.60%). Histopathology of the rat stomach tissues from control and extract-treated groups at 25 mg/kg body weight extract showed mild inflammation characterized by infiltration of inflammatory cells, while the extract treated groups at 50 and 100mg/kg body weight and 200 mg misoprostol/kg body weight group showed no obvious lesions. These results showed that the extract had no deleterious effects and was cytoprotective on the gastrointestinal tract (git). It can thus be developed as a safe alternative to conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the management of painful inflammatory disorders.
Highlights
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which act as non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, are commonly used to treat pain and inflammation despite the risk of major upper gastrointestinal complications (Venkova et al, 2008))
There was no significant difference in protection produced by the extract at 50,100mg extract/kg body weight and 200 mg Cimetidine/kg body weight (Table 1)
The results obtained from the study showed that the methanolic stem bark extract of Crossopteryx febrifuga possess anti-ulcerogenic activity in rats
Summary
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which act as non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, are commonly used to treat pain and inflammation despite the risk of major upper gastrointestinal complications (Venkova et al, 2008)). In African countries including Nigeria, indigenous herbal medicines are widely used for the management of painful inflammatory disorders, despite an apparent lack of scientific evidence for their quality, safety and efficacy (Fennell et al, 2004). One of such therapeutically useful medicinal plant is Crossopteryx febrifuga Benth, (Family Rubiaceae), a twisted tree with conspicuous tubular flowers, which is widely distributed throughout the Savannah region of Central, East and West Africa. The present study was designed to study its effect on the gastrointestinal tract when used for management of chronic pain related disorders
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