Evaluation of Gastroprotection and Antioxidant effect of Pine (Pinus halepensis) barks on Indomethacin induced Ulcer in Wistar rats

Abstract

This investigation was aimed to study the effect of aqueous extract of the bark of Pinus halepensis and zinc (as antioxidants) for prevention of gastric ulcer in indomethacin induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Thirty female albino Wistar rats, weighing between 117-182g were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each (n = 5); Group 1: normal control, Group 2: INDO ulcer rats received normal saline, Group 3:ulcer rats was treated with aqueous extract of the bark of P.halepensis (300mg/kg), Group 4: ulcer rats was treated with zinc (1mg/kg), Group 5: ulcer rats was treated with aqueous extract of the bark of P. halepensis+ zinc and Group 6 ulcer rats was treated with standard drug ranitidine for 15 days. Stomach ulcer was induced by a single oral administration of indomethacin (30 mg/kg). Various parameters as, the volume of gastric juice, total acidity, ulcer index, percentage protection, pepsin activity, hematological, biochemical and antioxidant markers were estimated. Histopathology of stomach tissues was observed. Results of qualitative analysis revealed that the aqueous extract show richness in, phenols (coumaric acid), flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and carbohydrates and poor in alkaloids. Total phenol and flavonoid content shows highest concentration in aqueous extract of P. halepensis (34.10mg GA EQ/gm, 3.27mg QEQ/gm). IC50 values of the plant was 34.92μg/ml. In this study, the toxicity test showed no mortality or behavioral change up to 5000 mg / kg of albino Wistar rats. In this work, obtained results show that the ulcer index and total acidity were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in ulcer induced rats pre-treated with test substances. Pepsin activity was decreased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with indomethacin treated rats. The alteration observed in Hematological and some biochemical parameters in ulcer rats and showed significant restoration in aqueous extract of the bark of P. halepensis and zinc or combined groups. The level of MDA and GSH were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in rats treated with extract. Histopathology of gastric mucosa confirmed the gastro-protection by plant and zinc treatment. The study reveals anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant property were observed in bark aqueous extract of P. halepensis groups with a benefic effect of zinc to reduced oxidative stress and gastric ulcer induced in rat.