Abstract

Umeh Victoria Nonyelum, Ajaegbu Eze Elijah, Olli Ubachukwu Ifechukwu, Akah Peter Achunike and Jude Nnaemeka Okoyeh*

ABSTRACT

Background: In folkloric medicine, aqueous seed extract of Persea americana (ASEPA) is indicated for treating peptic ulcer disease, without much validation of its efficacy. This study evaluates the effects of ASEPA, its n-hexane and water fractions on stress-induced ulcer in albino rats. Method: Dried, milled seeds of P. americana was soaked in distilled water then filtered and freeze-dried. The extract was fractionated with n-hexane, the residue was the water fraction. Acute toxicity and phytochemical screening tests were determined. Ulcer-protective and ulcer-healing effects of ASEPA and fractions were analyzed, including histopathological examinations of the rats stomachs. Cimetidine and distilled water were the standard drug and negative control, respectively. Outcome parameters were ulcer index, percentage healing of ulcer and effects on biochemical analysis. Result: Higher estimated oral median lethal dose (LD50) was obtained for ASEPA. The secondary metabolites (flavonoids, tannins, and saponins) had both ulcer protective and healing effects, which partly explains the pharmacological benefits of ASEPA seeds. ASEPA and fractions conferred dose-dependent ulcer-protective and ulcer-healing effects on the stress ulcer model. Oral treatment with ASEPA and fractions reduced significantly (p