Preliminary studies on the anti-ulcer potentials of Vitex doniana crude extracts on experimental rat model of ethanol induced gastric ulcer

ObjectiveTo investigate antiulcerogenic potentials of the crude extracts of Vitex doniana against ethanol induced gastric ulcer.MethodsTwenty four rats divided into 6 groups (I–VI) of 4 animals each were used. The animals were fasted for 24 h at the end of which Group I received a single dose of 10 mL/kg of saline; Group II received a single dose of 100 mg/kg cimetidine intramuscularly; Groups III and IV received single doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight of the methanol extract while Groups V and VI received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight of the aqueous extract respectively. After 30 min, each animal received 1 mL/kg body weight of absolute ethanol orally and was sacrificed 1 h later under chloroform anesthesia. The animals' stomachs were excised and the ulcers were counted and scored with the aid of a magnifying lens (×10). The mean ulcer index and ulcer preventive index were calculated for each group.ResultsA statistically significant decrease (P < 0.05) in mean ulcer index was observed in Groups II, IV and V compared to that of control Group I. Calculated percentage ulcer preventive index showed a 97%, 53%, 82%, 82% and 22% percentage preventive index for Groups II, II, IV, IV and VI respectively.ConclusionsCrude extracts of Vitex doniana possess antiulcer properties against ethanol induced gastric ulcers.