RESUMEN
Aim: Ethanolic extracts of Kigelia africana, Nauclea latifolia and Staudtia stipitata were investigated for their phytochemical constituents and antiulcerogenic potential on aspirin induced ulcer in albino rats at 150mg/kg, 300mg/kg, and 450mg/kg body weights. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Department of Biochemistry, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria, between June 2009 and August 2010. Methodology: Ulcer was induced by administering aspirin (200mg/kg body weight) orally to albino rats. Phytochemical screening of leaf extracts was done using standard methods after ethanolic extraction had been concluded. Biochemical parameters showing the effects of ethanolic extracts of the different leaves used in treating ulcer were tested using standard methods. Result: The extracts gave positive results to saponin, tannins, phylobatannins, anthraquinones and cardiac glycosides. K. africana at a concentration of 450 mg/kg body weight gave the best results with a significant decrease in ulcer index (0.67±0.16) on aspirin-induced ulcerogenic animals compared to 3.0 for the reference drug (Cimetidine at 300mg/kg) and control with 1.67±0.27, while the leaf extracts of S. stipitata showed the least efficacy. Conclusion: This study contributes to the search for potent and locally available plant materials for managing ulcer disease caused by non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs.