Abstract

Salawu, O. A, Tijani, A. Y*, Obidike, I. C, Rafindadi, H. A and Emeje, M

Piliostigma reticulatum (DC) Hoechst (Syn. Bauhinia reticulate DC) - Leguminosae is a medicinal plant used in folk medicine against peptic ulcer. Effects of its methanolic root extract on basal gastric acid secretion and on ethanol and piroxicam-induced ulceration in rats were evaluated in this study. The methanolic extract evoked a dosedependent decrease in gastric secretion and significantly (P < 0.05) reduced ulcer index induced by ethanol (27.3 - 63.60%) and piroxicam (6.25 - 68.75%). Histopathological studies of rat stomach tissues from control and extracttreated groups at 100 mg/kg b.w extract showed inflammation characterized by eosinophil infiltration, while the extract treated groups at 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w showed no obvious lesions and this is comparable to misoprostol (400 mg/kg b.w) treated group. These findings indicate the cytoprotective effects of the extract against ulceration and thus justify the folkloric uses of the plant in the symptomatic management of peptic ulcer.