Gastroprotective effect of aqueous extracts of Lippia citriodora, ajowan (Trachyspermum copticum), and Dracocepalum polychaetum on induced gastric ulcer in rats

In the present study, the gastroprotective effects of Lippia citriodora, Trachyspermum copticum, and Dracocepalum polychaetum on gastric ulcer induced by ethanol were investigated. Twenty-five male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups (five rats in each group). Three groups received 100 mg/kg/day (2 ml) of L. citriodora (LC group), D. polychaetum (DP group), and T. copticum (TC group) aqueous extracts, one group (RA) received ranitidine (200 mg/kg/day), and one group (control) received 2 ml distilled water saline by gastric gavage for four consecutive days. On the 4th day, 1 h after gavage and after 24-h starvation, all animals received oral ethanol (1 ml/200 g body weight). One hour after ethanol administration, macroscopic evaluation of gastric mucosa revealed less gastric ulcer severity in LC, DP, and TC groups than in the control group (p = 0.032, p = 0.008, and p = 0.016, respectively), and the ulcer severity in LC group was also significantly less than in RA group (p = 0.05). Histopathologic evaluation showed sharp and well-defined gastric ulcers in control group, which reached to the submucosal layers in some cases. The stomachs in ranitidine group revealed moderate mucosal damages in comparison to the control group. The gastric mucosa revealed different degrees of erosions and ulceration in plant extract-treated groups, and degeneration and necrosis were observed only in the superficial layers of the epithelium in most cases. LC group had the lowest gastric damages in comparison with other treated groups. Aqueous extracts of L. citriodora, D. polychaetum, and T. copticum have gastroprotective effect and may reduce the occurrence and the severity of gastric ulcers in people at risk of gastric ulcers.