The Effects of Methanolic Extract of Melissa officinalis on Experimental Gastric Ulcers in Rats
نویسندگان
1 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran
2 Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran
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5 Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran
6 Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran
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چکیده
Background: Melissa officinalis (MO) has potent antioxidant activity. Recent research has demonstrated the anti-ulcer properties ofsome medicinal plants through their antioxidant properties.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of methanolic extracts of MO on experimental gastric ulcers in rats.Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats (200 - 250 g) were starved for 24 hours prior to the induction of gastric ulceration byeither indomethacin (48 mg/kg/oral) or water immersion restraint (WIR) stress. Experimental rats received either ranitidine (25mg/kg) or MO extract (150, 300 and 450mg/kg) orally 2 hours prior to WIR stress or indomethacin treatment, for the evaluation oftheir gastroprotective effects. The control group received the same volume of saline. Gastric lesions were scored according to thesurface of lesions on the ulcer index. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were determined as measuresof antioxidant defense, and malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined to measure tissue oxidation.Results: MOextract (150 and 300 mg/kg) significantly decreased the ulcer index in both the indomethacin (1.30.09 and 1.50.19,respectively) and WIR stress groups (1.50.17 and 1.50.22, respectively), as compared to the control rats (2.50.28) (P < 0.01). MOextract (450 mg/kg) significantly reduced ulcer index readings in WIR stress rats (1.80.31 vs. 2.40.15 in the WIR group), however,MO extract at a dose of 450 mg/kg did not prevent indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration (2.40.26). There was no significantdifference in the ulcer index for MO extract- (150 and 300 mg/kg) and ranitidine-treated rats (P > 0.05). Also, MO extract (150 and300 mg/kg) significantly reduced MDA serum levels (0.69 0.6 mol/L and 0.85 0.24 mol/L, respectively, vs. 4.5 1.9 mol/Lin the saline group) and significantly increased antioxidants’ SOD activities (296.3146.4 U/mL and 561.4120 U/mL, respectively,vs. 190.263.8U/mL in the control group) and GPX levels (82733049 U/mL and 145745012 U/mL, respectively), compared to thecontrol (32361699 U/mL).Conclusions: Our results showed thatMOextract may have a gastroprotective effect against experimental gastric ulcers in rats. Theexact mechanism has not yet been determined, but it may be due to enhancing enzymatic antioxidant defenses and inhibiting lipidperoxidation.
