Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ANTIULCER PROPERTIES OF ETHANOL CRUDE EXTRACT AND FRACTIONS OF THE LEAVES OF PICRALIMA NITIDA DURAND AND HOOK (APOCYNACEAE)

Bruce S. O.*, Okoye C. L., Orji C. E., Ezeonyi E. I. and Ezewudo E. M.

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Abstract

Picralima nitida leaf is a rich source of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. The leaf of Picralima nitida has been used ethanomedicinally used in the treatment of ulcers, diabetes, sexual impotence and hypertension. To evaluate the pharmacognostic properties and anti-ulcer activity of the ethanol crude extract and fractions of Picralima nitida leaves. The Pharmacognistic properties of the dry leaves were determined using standard method. The leaves were extracted using ethanol, the acute toxicity was determined. The crude ethanol extract was then fractionated using solvents of increasing polarity (n-Hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol and water) fraction. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical constituents and the antiulcer evaluation were performed on ethanol induced in wister rats using standard method. Picralima nitida leaf shows the presence of saponins, terpenoids, Alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids. The crude ethanol extract has high safety margin. A significant reduction in antiulcer activity was found in 500mg ethanol crude extract and butanol fraction when compared to the standard drug (Famotidine). The Pharmacognostic properties can act as a reliable tool for standardization and quality evaluation of the plant. The ethanol extract and butanol fraction produce a significant reduction in the effect of ulcer in the rats. This claim confirms the ethnomedicinal use of the plant.

Keywords: Picralima nitida, Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical, Acute toxicity (LD50), Antiulcer.