Abstract

The ulcer protective and antimicrobial effects of the ethanolic leaf extract of Verbena hastata, a popular herbal traditional medicine in southern Nigeria, were assessed using ethanol and indomethacine induced gastric ulcer in rats and against some disease causing microorganisms, respectively. The extract (100-400 mg/kg, p.o) exerted ulcer-protective activities against ethanol and indomethacine-induced ulceration in rats with maximum anti-ulcer effect observed at 400 mg/kg. In addition, V. hastata leaf extract (2.00 mg/ml) showed absence of antimicrobial effects against all the tested organisms. The oral LD₅₀ values obtained were greater than 5000 mg/kg in mice. The results clearly indicate that V. hastataleaf extract possesses potent ulcer protective properties. It might be a useful contribution to highlight the mechanism of action of this plant as anti-ulcer agent.

Key words: Antimicrobial, Verbena hastata, antiulcer agent, traditional medicine.