CHICORIC ACID, A PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOUND OF SOLENOSTEMON MONOSTACHYUS: POSSIBLE DRUG CANDIDATE FOR THE RELIEF OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Abstract

Objective: Solenostemon monostachyus P. Beauv (family Lamiaceae) used traditionally by the Ibibios of Southern Nigeria to treat stomach ulcer, malaria and other inflammatory diseases was evaluated for antiulcer activity. Materials and Methods: The effects of extract of Solenostemon monostachyus (75 - 225 mg/kg) and fractions (Aqueous and chloroform, 150 mg/kg) on experimentally induced ulcer were studied in rats using ethanol, indomethacin, reserpine and histamine –induced ulcer models. Results: The effect of ethanol extract of S. monostachyus (75 – 225 mg/kg) and fractions on experimentally induced ulcer were studied in rats. The extract (75 – 225 mg/kg) inhibited ethanol, indomethacin and histamine –induced ulcer models in a dose dependent fashion. The various degrees of inhibitions were statistically significant (p<0.05, 0.01, 0.001). The effect of the extract was comparable to that of the standard drugs used with the dichloromethane fraction having the highest activity. Conclusion: Thus, S. monostachyus extract demonstrated a good antiulcer activity which supports the use of this plant in the traditional medicine to treat ulcers.