Evaluation of the Ulcer-healing Potential of Chromolaena odorata (Independent Plant) in Wistar Rats

Gastric ulcer is a disease that affects the GIT notably the stomach. It has been implicated in numerous deaths both in the developing and developed countries. Plants are endowed with variety of compounds of immense health significance and could account for the multi-therapeutic potential. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the ability of the Chromolaena odorata (Independent plant) to heal gastric ulcer and also protect the liver against damage. Freshly harvested C. odorata leaves were processed and extracted. A total of 25 adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups of five rats. Group I: (normal control) was administered 2 mL of distilled water, Groups II-V were administered 300 mg/kg of aspirin to induce gastric ulceration. However, while group II was not administered the said plant extract, group III and IV were administered 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract respectively, and group V was administered 20 µg/kg of misoprostol. Animals were treated for 10 days and afterwards, sacrificed. The stomach was harvested and opened, blood sample was collected. While ulcer index was performed on all groups, the activity of the serum hepato-markers was restricted to Groups I, II and III. The parameters were evaluated using standard procedures. The activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reported for rats administered extract were not significantly (P>0.05) different from those reported for the normal control. It was also observed that methanol leaf extract of C. odorata significantly (p<0.05) reduced ulcer index in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, it can be deduced from this study that methanol leaf extract of C. odorata has the potential to heal gastric ulcer and as well protect the liver against insult.