title: Microencapsulation enhances the anti-ulcerogenic properties of Entada africana leaf extract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The antiulcer potentials of most plants still remain largely unexplored, despite their prospects evidenced by their use as ethnomedicine. Entada africana (Mimosaceae) has been widely used in Africa for the treatment of skin infections, wounds, tonic for stomach troubles and against diphtheria-like throat complaints. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-ulcer properties of Entada africana (EA) ethanol leaf extract and to obtain a novel multiparticulate pharmaceutical formulation (ACE) with it.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ethanol or Indomethacin was administered to rats after oral administration of EA (200, 400 and 800 mg extract/kg b.w), ACE (400 and 800 mg/kg bw), cimetidine (100mg/kg bw), misoprostol (40 μg/kg bw) or distilled water/saline (vehicle). Anti ulcer property was evaluated by examining and scoring stomach lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract exhibited significant (P<0.01) cytoprotective effect against ethanol and indomethacin induced gastro ulceration. The microcapsules showed enhanced cytoprotective effect against ethanol and indomethacin induced gastro ulceration. Histopathologically, the effects of EA and ACE on mucus epithelia were mild with reduced neutrophil, eosinophil and lymphocytic infiltration in stomach tissues of rats ulcerated with ethanol.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our current findings show that EA and its multiparticulate formulation may be a useful preparation in peptic ulcer disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Idu, P.M.B.21 Garki, Abuja, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Obidike
authors.forename: M O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Emeje
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002214:Capsules; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004058:Diffusion; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004339:Drug Compounding; D000431:Ethanol; D007887:Fabaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects; D007213:Indomethacin; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D051379:Mice; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012995:Solubility; D013270:Stomach / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D002214:Capsules; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol; D007213:Indomethacin