Gastroprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Entandrophragma utile bark in experimental ethanol-induced peptic ulceration in mice and rats.

An aqueous extract of Entandrophragma utile bark was shown to be efficacious in preventing experimental ethanol-induced ulcers in rats. A therapeutic dose equivalent to 50 g/kg of bark orally caused total protection without lethality in the animals employed. The formation of a protective pellicle over the epithelial lining was observed, which may be due to the presence of tannins in the herbal medicine and this may prevent the absorption of noxious agents. In mice, a lethality dose-response curve could not be established orally. The maximum dosage administered was equivalent to 500 g/kg of the bark and produced 25% lethality.