Acute toxicity and anti-ulcerative potential of caralluma flava N.E.Br methanolic extract against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats

Abstract

The study was performed to assess the anti-ulcer activity of Caralluma flava methanolic extract against ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats model. A acute toxicity and antioxidant activities of Caralluma flava extract was evaluated. Acute toxicity of the Caralluma flava extract was evaluated with a single dose administered orally to rats in a dosage of 3g/kg for 2 weeks. Result showed that the extract was effective antioxidant towards DPPH radical and the scavenging activity was approximately nearly from the ascorbic acid. Acute toxicity test up to 3 g/kg of this extract did not display any toxicological effect.. The treated rats with Caralluma flava at 500 mg/kg, produced antiulcer effect in rats with a preventive index of 68.37 %. In conclusion, this study shows that of Caralluma flava extract was nontoxic up to 3g/kg and showed antiulcer properties. The antiulcer activity is exerted, possibly, via its high antioxidant activity.