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Recently, people choose alternative and complementary therapies, especially remedies from herbs, because they are less costly and have less side effects. Currently, the gastroprotective properties of a hydro-ethanolic extract of Parapholis Incurva (PI) were evaluated against the gastric ulcer-induced rats sing the two ulceration methods by aspirin (AS) and ethanol (EtOH), separately, based upon the biochemical, histochemical, and immunohistochemical assessments. Oxidative stress markers in AS and EtOH treated groups showed an increase in MDA and decrease in GSH levels which all were markedly improved in groups that were pretreated with PI extract comparing with the ranitidine as a standard anti-ulcer drug. AS and EtOH significantly altered the antioxidant status. The macroscopic appearance of the stomach of experimental rats showed the aspirin treated group in the glandular stomach, the most evident finding was linear hemorrhagic lesions and patchy pale lesions accompanied hemorrhagic lesions in the glandular stomach. Also, the light microscopic examination revealed many histological alterations such as loss of surface epithelial cells, numerous necrosis of gastric mucosa, submucosal vacuolation of the glandular portion, degenerative changes in the gastric gland and congesting blood vessels. A notable decrease in the Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction accompanied by a notable rise in the area % of collagen fibers. When AS and ethanol were administered to the groups, the immunohistochemistry stain showed that caspase-3 and COX2 expression was dramatically upregulated while COX1 decreased. A marked protection in the glandular architecture of the gastric mucosa was observed in the PI extract treated groups within a mucosal surface almost similar to the control. PAS reaction revealed partly preserved surface epithelium and glandular epithelium with a marked protection in PAS-positive surface mucous cells. A notable decrease in the area % of collagen fibers. The immunohistochemistry stain showed that caspase-3 and COX2 expression was downregulated while and COX1 increased. The total phenolic and flavonoid content assays revealed that this extract is very rich with polyphenolic, including phenolic and flavonoid, components. The gastroprotective action of this plant might be attributed to this significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components. These results revealed that the PI extract might be helpful in preventing stomach ulcers induced by EtOH or AS.
Elshahat et al. (Sun,) studied this question.