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Abstract Background Chronic venous ulcers are prevalent, its incidence (1%) in the general population. Venous ulcers are quite a challenge for physicians to treat. Among the numerous pathological causes, venous hypertension remains the leading cause. This study aims to compare the safety, efficacy, short-term complications, factors affecting wound healing as well as pathological outcomes of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) in conjunction with the four-layer compression bandage in the management of chronic venous ulcers. Methods Retrospective analysis of a hundred patients with chronic venous ulcers treated between December 2018 and December 2021. Two groups were studied: the control group, which received conventional compression, and the study group, which underwent injection sclerotherapy and conventional compression. Punch skin biopsies were taken from both groups before and after treatment to compare the histological effects of the two methods. Results Complete healing was achieved in 100% of the patients, with a shorter healing time in the study group (34.82 ± 4.7). Additionally, the degree of inflammation was significantly decreased but there was a higher local complication rate in the study group. Conclusions UGFS in conjunction with the compression bandage showed superior clinical and pathological results but, risk of complication was increased.

Abstract Background Gastric ulcers represent a worldwide health problem, characterized by erosions that affect the mucous membrane of the stomach and may even reach the muscular layer, leading to serious complications. Numerous natural products have been assessed as anti-ulcerogenic agents, and have been considered as new approaches for treatment or prevention of gastric ulcers. The present research investigated the preventive benefits of Apium graveolens L. (Apiaceae), known as celery, seed extract towards indomethacin-induced ulceration of the stomach in rats. Methods Metabolomic profiling, employing liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HR-ESI–MS), was implemented with the aim of investigating the chemical profile of the seeds. Histopathological analysis of gastric tissues, as well as assessment of numerous inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress indicators, confirmed the in vivo evaluation. Results The prior treatment with A. graveolens seed extract resulted in a substantial reduction in the ulcer index when compared to the indomethacin group, indicating an improvement in stomach mucosal injury. Moreover, the gastroprotective effect was demonstrated through examination of the oxidative stress biomarkers which was significantly attenuated upon pre-treatment with A. graveolens seed extract. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a fundamental angiogenic factor that stimulates angiogenesis, was markedly inhibited by indomethacin. A. graveolens seed extract restored this diminished level of VEGF. The dramatic reductions in NF-κB protein levels indicate a considerable attenuation of the indomethacin-induced IKκB/NF-κB p65 signaling cascade. These activities were also correlated to the tentatively featured secondary metabolites including, phenolic acids, coumarins and flavonoids, previously evidenced to exert potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. According to our network pharmacology study, the identified metabolites annotated 379 unique genes, among which only 17 genes were related to gastric ulcer. The PTGS2, MMP2 and PTGS1 were the top annotated genes related to gastric ulcer. The top biological pathway was the VEGF signaling pathway. Conclusion A. graveolens seed extract possesses significant anti-ulcer activity, similar to famotidine, against gastric lesions induced by indomethacin in rats. It is worth highlighting that the extract overcomes the negative effects of conventional chemical anti-secretory drugs because it does not lower stomach acidity.

Gastric ulcers represent a worldwide health problem, characterized by erosions with different degrees in the gastrointestinal mucosa. In the current study, we explore the protective effects of the extract of apple seeds (Malus domestica, family: Rosaceae), regarded as environmental wastes, against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The chemical composition of the seeds extract was investigated through liquid chromatography high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-HR-ESI-MS). The metabolomics profiling resulted in identification of 17 compounds (1–17) of different chemical classes. The gene ontology analysis demonstrated that the total extract of M. domestica seeds possess an antiulcer activity through PI3K-Akt signaling pathway as the top identified signaling pathway. The present research work evidenced the reuse of apple seeds waste as an effective therapy to treat NSAIDs-induced gastric ulcer, attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is important to note that the extract does not cause the undesirable effects of traditional antisecretory drugs.