Evaluation of the Anti Ulcer Effect of Extract of Chromolaena odorata Leaves on Ethanol and Indomethacin Induced Ulcer Models

Abstract

Public health is greatly impacted by peptic ulcer disease, a chronic illness marked by sores in the lower oesophagus, duodenum, or stomach. In ethnomedicine, Chromolaena odorata has long been used to treat ulcers. The study evaluated the anti-ulcer properties of the methanol extract and fractions of C. odorata leaves. The methanol extract and its n-hexane, ethyl-acetate, and n-butanol fractions were subjected to anti-ulcer screening using the in vivo ulcer models in ethanol and indomethacin-induced experimental rats. Important parameters, such as the pH, total acidity, free acidity, and ulcer index, were measured from the rats treated with extract and fractions (200 and 400 mg/kg doses) and standard omeprazole. The extract (4.67 %w/w yield) and its fractions contained different amounts of flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, phenol, tannins, alkaloids, and cardiac glycosides. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s t-test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.  The ethyl acetate (400 mg/kg) exhibited a 56.7% gastroprotective effect with an ulcer index of 1.30 ± 0.20, while the crude (400 mg/kg) showed an inhibition rate of 50.0% with an ulcer index of 1.50 ± 0.25, lower than omeprazole (63.3%) in the ethanol-induced model. In the indomethacin-induced ulcer model, the 400 mg/kg extract (400 mg/kg) and ethyl acetate fraction (400 mg/kg) elicited 77.6% and 63.5% ulcer inhibition compared with the omeprazole standard (83.11%). All the fractions significantly decreased stomach acidity by elevating pH. Significant anti-ulcer efficacy is demonstrated by C. odorata, with the most effective portion being ethyl acetate, which could provide anti-ulcer lead compounds. The gastroprotective properties are probably aided by the presence of bioactive substances, including flavonoids and tannins.