Aqueous suspension of anise “<em>Pimpinella anisum</em>” protects rats against chemically induced gastric ulcers

Ibrahim Al Mofleh

Abdulqader Alhaider

Jaber Mossa

Mohammed Al-Soohaibani

Syed Rafatullah

Ibrahim A Al Mofleh, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abdulqader A Alhaider, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed O Al-Sohaibani, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Jaber S Mossa, Syed Rafatullah, Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal, Aromatic and Poisonous Plants Research Center, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.

Correspondence to: Professor Ibrahim Abdulkarim Al Mofleh, College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 2925 (59), Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia. moc.oohay@helfomai

Telephone: +966-1-4671215 Fax: +966-1-4671217

Ibrahim A Al Mofleh, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abdulqader A Alhaider, Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Mohammed O Al-Sohaibani, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Jaber S Mossa, Syed Rafatullah, Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal, Aromatic and Poisonous Plants Research Center, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.

Correspondence to: Professor Ibrahim Abdulkarim Al Mofleh, College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 2925 (59), Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia. moc.oohay@helfomai

Telephone: +966-1-4671215 Fax: +966-1-4671217

Received 2006 Dec 2; Revised 2006 Dec 18; Accepted 2007 Jan 23.

Abstract

AIM: To substantiate the claims of Unani and Arabian traditional medicine practitioners on the gastroprotective potential effect of a popular spice anise, “Pimpinella anisum L.” on experimentally-induced gastric ulceration and secretion in rats.

METHODS: Acute gastric ulceration in rats was produced by various noxious chemicals including 80% ethanol, 0.2 mol/L NaOH, 25% NaCl and indomethacin. Anti-secretory studies were undertaken using pylorus-ligated Shay rat technique. Levels of gastric non-protein sulfhydryls (NP-SH) and wall mucus were estimated and gastric tissue was also examined histologically. Anise aqueous suspension was used in two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) in all experiments.

RESULTS: Anise significantly inhibited gastric mu-cosal damage induced by necrotizing agents and indomethacin. The anti-ulcer effect was further confirmed histologically. In pylorus-ligated Shay rats, anise suspension significantly reduced the basal gastric acid secretion, acidity and completely inhibited the rumenal ulceration. On the other hand, the suspension significantly replenished ethanol-induced depleted levels of gastric mucosal NP-SH and gastric wall mucus concentration.

CONCLUSION: Anise aqueous suspension possesses significant cytoprotective and anti-ulcer activities against experimentally-induced gastric lesions. The anti-ulcer effect of anise is possibly prostaglandin-mediated and/or through its anti-secretory and antioxidative properties.

Keywords: Spice, Anise, Pimpinella anisum, Cytopro-tection, Gastric ulcer, Gastric secretion, Sulfhydryls, Gastric wall mucus

Abstract

Six rats were used in each group.

-: normal, +: moderate, ++: severe, +++: intensely severe.

Six rats were used in each group.

Footnotes

Supported by King AbdulAziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Spices Project No. AR-16-37

S- Editor Liu Y L- Editor Wang XL E- Editor Ma WH

Footnotes

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