Protective effects of ginger and marshmallow extracts on indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in rats

Abstract

Background: Gastric ulcer is one of the most serious diseases. Most classic treatment lines produce adverse drug reactions. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of two natural extracts, namely ginger and marshmallow extracts, on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Materials and methods: Animals were divided into five groups; a normal control group, an ulcer control group, and three treatment groups receiving famotidine (20 mg/kg), ginger (100 mg/kg), and marshmallow (100 mg/kg). Treatments were given orally on a daily basis for 14 days prior to a single intra-peritoneal administration of indomethacin (20 mg/kg).

Results: Indomethacin administration resulted in significant ulcerogenic effect evidenced by significant elevations in ulcer number, ulcer index, and blood superoxide dismutase activity accompanied by significant decreases in gastric mucosal nitric oxide and glutathione levels. In addition, elevations in gastric mucosal lipid peroxides and histamine content were observed. Alternatively, pretreatment with famotidine, ginger or marshmallow significantly corrected macroscopic and biochemical findings, supported microscopically by results of histopathological study.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate that administration of either ginger or marshmallow extract could protect against indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in rats presumably via their antioxidant properties and inhibition of histamine release.

Keywords: Famotidine; ginger; indomethacin; marshmallow; peptic ulcer.

Figure 1

Protective effects of 14 days daily treatment by ginger, marshmallow and famotidine on ulcer number, ulcer index, and preventive index in indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in rats. Each value represents the mean of 6-8 animals ± standard error of the mean. Statistical analysis was determined using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test. *Significantly different from normal control group value at P < 0.05. ^@Significantly different from the ulcer control group value at P < 0.05. ^#Significantly different from famotidine (standard drug) treated group value at P < 0.05

Figure 2

Protective effects of 14 days daily treatment by ginger, marshmallow and famotidine on superoxide dismutase in indomethacininduced gastric ulceration in rats. Each value represents the mean of 6-8 animals ± standard error of the mean. Statistical analysis was determined using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey-Kramer multiple comparisons test. *Significantly different from normal control group value at P < 0.05. ^@Significantly different from the ulcer control group value at P < 0.05. ^#Significantly different from famotidine (standard drug) treated group value at P < 0.05.

Figure 3

Images from stomachs and histopathological examination of each group. (a) Image from stomach and a photomicrograph of the fundus of Group 1 normal control group. (b) Image from stomach and a photomicrograph of the fundus of Group 2-ulcer control group. (c) Image from stomach and a photomicrograph of the fundus of Group 3-famotidine (20 mg/kg, p.o.). (d) Image from stomach and a photomicrograph of the fundus of Group 4-ginger (100 mg/kg, p.o.). (e) Image from stomach and a photomicrograph of the fundus of Group 5-Marshmallow (100 mg/kg, p.o.). Where (white arrow) is gastric pits or congested blood vessels, (black arrow) is the glandular mucosa, (arrow heads) is cellular infiltration, (ê) is the submucosal layer, MM is the muscularis mucosa, IC is the inner circular layer of musculosa and OL is outer longitudinal layer