title: Antiulcer activity of methanolic extract and fractions of Picralima nitida seeds(Apocynacaea) in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigated the antisecrectory activities of the methanol extract, chloroform fraction and methanol fraction of Picralima nitida seeds.
  
  
  METHODS
  The methanol extract of Picralima nitida seeds was fractionated into chloroform fraction and methanol fraction. They were evaluated for antiulcer activity and gastric emptying time in rats using aspirin-pylorus-ligation model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral administration of the methanol extract, chloroform fraction and methanol fraction at 1 000 mg/kg reduced gastric ulcer by 56.4%, 40.0% and 56.3%, respectively; and the fractions of the extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced gastric emptying time when compared to the control. Gastric acidity was significantly decreased when compared with saline group, 40.25 mEq/L in methanol extract, 50.0 mEq/L in chloroform fraction 51.25 mEq/L in methanol fraction but had no significant effect on the gastric secretion volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings showed that methanol extract, chloroform fraction and methanol fraction of the seeds of Picralima possessed potent antiulcer properties and some antisecretory properties.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
authors.forename: Okonta Jegbefume
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Adibe Maxwell
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ogochukwu
authors.forename: Ubaka Chukwuemeka
authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Michael
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000863:Antacids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029062:Apocynaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects; D008403:Mass Screening; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000863:Antacids; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts