Gastroprotective Effects of Inulae Flos on HCl/Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

Abstract

Inulae Flos, the flower of Inula britannica L., is used as a dietary supplement, beverage, and medicine in East Asia. In this study, we evaluated the gastroprotective effects of Inulae Flos extract (IFE) against gastric mucosal lesions induced by hydrochloric acid (HCl)/ethanol in rats and explored its potential mechanisms by measuring antioxidant enzyme activity, mucus secretion, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels. Pretreatment with IFE at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg significantly inhibited gastric lesions in HCl/ethanol-treated rats. IFE increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and the levels of glutathione and PGE₂ in gastric tissues. The administration of IFE also significantly increased the gastric wall mucus contents in HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions. These findings suggest that IFE has gastroprotective effects against HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions and exerts these effects through increased antioxidant levels and gastric mucus secretion. Inulae Flos may be a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of gastritis and gastric ulcers.

Keywords: Inula britannica; antioxidant; gastric ulcer; gastric wall mucus; gastritis; prostaglandin E2.

Figure 1

Chromatograms of (a) 1-O-acetylbritannilactone, the standard compound of Inulae Flos, and (b) 95% ethanol extract of Inulae Flos at 210 nm.

Figure 2

Effects of Inulae Flos extract (IFE) on HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats. Representative gross images of stomachs of (a) control, (b) Stillen 300 mg/kg, (c) IFE 100 mg/kg, and (d) IFE 300 mg/kg groups. Rats were treated with distilled water, IFE (100 or 300 mg/kg), or Stillen (300 mg/kg) 1 h prior to the administration of HCl/ethanol.

Figure 3

Effects of IFE on histopathological changes in the stomach of rats with HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Histopathological changes were analyzed by staining with H&E followed by observation at 40× and 100× magnification (left and right panels, respectively). (a,b) Control, (c,d) Stillen 300 mg/kg, (e,f) IFE 100 mg/kg, (g,h) IFE 300 mg/kg. Rats were treated with distilled water, IFE (100 or 300 mg/kg), or Stillen (300 mg/kg) 1 h prior to the administration of HCl/ethanol. IFE, Inulae Flos extract.

Figure 4

Effects of IFE on (a) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and (b) catalase (CAT) activities and (c) glutathione (GSH) and (d) malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the ulcerated gastric tissue of rats. Rats were treated with distilled water, IFE (100 or 300 mg/kg), or Stillen (300 mg/kg) 1 h prior to the administration of HCl/ethanol. Values are expressed as means ± standard deviations; n = 6/group; * p < 0.05 and ** p < 0.01 versus the control group by one-way analysis of variance with post hoc Dunnett’s test. IFE, Inulae Flos extract.

Figure 5

Effects of IFE on prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) levels in the ulcerated gastric tissue of rats. Rats were treated with distilled water, IFE (100 or 300 mg/kg), or Stillen (300 mg/kg) 1 h prior to the administration of HCl/ethanol. Values are expressed as means ± standard deviations; n = 6/group; ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001 versus the control group by one-way analysis of variance with post hoc Dunnett’s test. IFE, Inulae Flos extract.

Figure 6

Effects of IFE pretreatment on gastric wall mucus contents in rats with HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. Rats were treated with distilled water, IFE (100 or 300 mg/kg), or Stillen (300 mg/kg) 1 h prior to the administration of HCl/ethanol. Values are expressed as means ± standard deviations; n = 8/group; ** p < 0.01 versus the control group by one-way analysis of variance with post hoc Dunnett’s test. IFE, Inulae Flos extract.