Anti-inflammatory effects of Centella asiatica ethanolic extracts towards indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model in rats by altering COX-2 expression

Abstract

Non-streoidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used despite their known gastrointestinal adverse effects. Centella asiatica (CA) is widely used for its anti-inflammatory due to its active components. This study was conducted to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of CA ethanolic (CAE) extracts in gastric ulcer by measuring COX-2 expression. The effects of CAE were identified in mice (Rattus norvegicus) used as peptic ulcer models induced with Indometachin at 30 mg/kg BW. The experimental groups were divided into five groups: negative control group, positive control group day 8, and the treatment groups receiving three different doses of CAE (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW). CAE was administered once daily for seven days. The experimental models were sacrificed 24 hours after the last CAE administration, and COX-2 expression in the gastric mucosal layer was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to examine gastric mucosal damage. There was a consistent significant decrease in COX-2 expression in all treatment groups compared to control groups (p = 0.006). The results showed that CAE displayed anti-inflammatory effect. CAE extracts could decrease COX-2 expression in all three treatment groups compared to control models. CAE has a potential to be anti-inflammatory herbal therapy for gastric ulcers.