Abstract

BACKGROUND The objective of the study was to investigate the protective effects of aqueous extract of Plantago ovata seed (AEPOS) on peptic ulcer induced by indomethacin (IND) in rats. METHODS Rats (250-300 g) were divided into three groups (5 rats in each group). Gastric ulcer was induced by a single oral gavage of 48 mg/kg IND. The first group received only 5% sodium bicarbonate orally (5 ml/kg) whereas the control (IND) group received only single oral dose of 48 mg/kg IND. The third group was pretreated with an extract (100 mg/kg) for 4 days. At the end of the 4th day, rats were kept fasted for 24 h before administration of IND 48 mg/kg. The rats were sacrificed 4 h after oral administration of IND and their stomach and liver were fixed in formalin (10%) and sections of 5 mm in diameter were prepared. Histological and morphological characteristics of stomach and liver were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS AEPOS (100 mg/kg) showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in microscopic and macroscopic ulcer index as compared to the IND group. Histological analysis indicated that AEPOS has hepatoprotective effect and can prevent mucosa damage in stomach. CONCLUSION Results revealed that AEPOS has anti-ulcer and hepatoprotective effects.