Antiulcer and toxicological evaluation of bi-herbal mixture of Emilia coccinea and Occimum gratissimum on Wistar rats

Abstract

Emilia coccinea and Ocimum gratisimum are employed in folk medicine in the management of gastro-intestinal tract disorders such as peptic ulcers. The bi-herbal methanol extracts of E. coccinea and O. gratisimum was evaluated for its anti-ulcerogenic effect and toxicity profile in rats. Graded doses of bi-herbal extracts (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) were orally administered to the treated groups. Cimetidine at doses 100 mg/kg were used as positive controls, respectively. Stomach was opened along the greater curvature then ulceration index was determined examining the inner lining of stomach. Oral administration of the extract did not produce toxic effects to the haematological parameters and selected tissues in rats. The bi-herbal extracts (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) showed a significant reduction in ulcer index and percentage in HCl/Ethanol-induced ulcer. Bi-herbal extracts (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) showed antiulcer activity against ethanol-induced gastric lesions dose dependently. The extract efficiently inhibited thedevelopment of gastric lesions induced by ethanol. The results indicated that bi-herbal extract exerted an anti-ulcergenic effect associated with an increase in gastric mucosal defensive factors.