Evaluation of the Antiulcer Activities of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Cleistopholis staudtii

Abstract

Gastric ulcer disease remains a major global health burden, and limitations of current therapies necessitate the search for safer alternatives. Cleistopholis staudtii (Annonaceae) is traditionally used in West Africa for treating gastrointestinal disorders, but its anti-ulcer activity has not been fully elucidated.This study evaluated the anti-ulcer potential of the ethanol extract of C. staudtii leaves and its solvent fractions in pylorus-ligated rats. Leaves of C. staudtii were extracted with ethanol and fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions. Acute toxicity was assessed according to OECD guidelines. Anti-ulcer activity was investigated using the pylorus ligation method in rats pretreated with distilled water, omeprazole (20 mg/kg), crude extract (250 and 500 mg/kg), or solvent fractions (250 and 500 mg/kg). Gastric juice volume, pH, free acidity, total acidity, ulcer index, and percentage ulcer inhibition were determined. The ethanol extract was safe with an oral LD₅₀ > 5000 mg/kg. Distilled water-treated controls exhibited severe ulceration (ulcer index: 13.7 ± 0.26). Omeprazole significantly reduced ulcer formation (ulcer index: 8.42 ± 0.16; 88.23% inhibition). The crude extract (500 mg/kg) produced comparable inhibition (88.23%), associated with increased gastric pH (4.0 ± 0.58) and reduced acidity. The butanol fraction at 250 mg/kg exhibited the most potent effect among the fractions (ulcer index: 9.54 ± 0.26; 79.38% inhibition), surpassing omeprazole in lowering free acidity (35.7 ± 2.33 vs. 43.6 ± 5.22). Ethyl acetate showed moderate activity (20.35–37.17% inhibition), while n-hexane produced minimal effects (<15%).The ethanol extract and butanol fraction of C. staudtii demonstrated significant gastroprotective activity, mediated by antisecretory and cytoprotective mechanisms, likely due to flavonoids and phenolic compounds. These findings validate its traditional use in gastrointestinal disorders and highlight its potential as a source of novel anti-ulcer agents.