Antibacterial Potential and Anti-Ulcer Activity of Methanol Extract of Khaya anthotheca on Indomethacin Induced Ulcer in Albino Wistar Rats

Background and Objective: Khaya anthotheca is a member of the family Meliaceae, a native to Africa. It is a medicinal plant widely used for several therapeutic purposes. Herein, phytochemical study, anti-ulcerogenic and antibacterial investigations were carried out on the methanol extract of Khaya anthotheca root. Materials and Methods: As 35 rats were distributed into seven groups to evaluate the anti-ulcer activity of K. anthotheca root methanol extract at the dosage range of 50-400 mg/kg/b.wt., while the antibacterial activity was determined at a concentration range of 100-400 µg/mL. The analysis was done using the software-SPSS one-way ANOVA at a significance level p<0.05. Results: The result of the antibacterial study reveals that extract elicited substantial (p<0.05) growth inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.34±0.16 and 18.22±0.26 mm) at the concentration of 300 and 400 µg/mL, respectively when compared with the standard drug (20.73±0.17 and 20.34±0.23 mm). The extract also showed mild inhibition of Salmonella typhi (15.54±0.13 mm) at the highest concentration employed, while displaying weak inhibitions of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (13.54±0.14 and 12.23±0.12 mm). In addition, Khaya anthotheca root-bark methanol extract displayed profound (p<0.05) anti-ulcerogenic action at the dosage of 300 mg/kg/b.wt. (50.42%) and 400 mg/kg/b.wt. (60.52%) against indomethacin-induced ulcerated rats. Conclusion: This study therefore suggests the use of Khaya anthotheca as an antimicrobial agent and for treatment of ulcers. Further studies are needed to discover the bioactive constituent of the plant responsible for this anti-ulcer activity as well as other pharmacological activities in clinical trials.