Histopathological and biochemical evaluation of the protective efficacy of Prunus spinosa L. extract in a rat model of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer

Objective(s): Some species of Prunus L. are popularly used to treat gastric ulcers. However, the possible healing mechanisms of the anti-ulcer activity of P. spinosa, which has proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, are unclear.Materials and Methods: Ethanol extracts of P. spinosa fruits were administered orally at ۱۰۰ mg/kg and ۲۰۰ mg/kg to Wistar albino rats, with an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model. The ulcerous areas on the stomach surface were examined macroscopically. Tissues were examined histopathologically and biochemically. LC-HRMS revealed the phytochemical content.Results: TNF-α, IL-۶, IL-۱β, IL-۸, and NF-kB levels were higher in the gastric ulcer group than in the extract groups. The VEGF values did not differ in each group. A significant difference was found between the lansoprazole group and the high-dose P. spinosa group regarding PGE۲ levels. A histopathologically significant difference was observed between the healthy group and the indomethacin-applied groups in terms of neutrophilic infiltration of the gastric mucosa. Ascorbic acid (۱۵۴۷.۵۲۱ µg/g), homoprotocatechuic acid (۱۲۶۸.۲۱۷ µg/g), and genistein (۱۰۱۴.۴۶۲ µg/g) were found as the main compounds in the P. spinosa extract by LC-HRMS.Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that P. spinosa protected the gastric mucosa from inflammation and also modulated the PGE۲ pathway. When considered in terms of TNF-α, IL-۱β, IL-۸, IL-۶, PGE۲, and NF-kB values, it can be concluded that it has a similar or even more positive effect than the reference substance. P. spinosa showed its effects in a dose-dependent manner.

Keywords:

Gastric ulcer , LC-HRMS , Prunus spinosa , PGE۲ , TNF-α