Effects of Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis Boiss. et Reut. (Lamiaceae) essential oil on healing gastric ulcers according to sex.

Fatma Guesmi,Manel Ben Ali,Wiem Tahri,Mondher Mejri,Ahmed Landoulsi,Taha Barkaoui,Houda Bellamine,Mossadok Ben-Attia

doi:10.1186/1476-511x-13-138

Abstract

BackgroundThymus algeriensis Boiss. et Reut. (Lamiaceae), popularly known as “mougecha” or “mazoukcha” is prolific in Mediterranean regions, mostly in North Africa, and is used in folk medicine to treat of stomach diseases.MethodsIn this study, animals were induced with gastric ulcers using HCl/ethanol (0.3 M HCl/60% ethanol) and treated orally with essential oil of Thymus algeriensis (EOTa) in various doses ranging from 54 mg/kg body weight to 180 mg/kg body weight.ResultThe dose found to be effective was 180 mg/kg body weight, since this dose brought about a maximum reduction in lesion index in female rats. In gastric tissues, levels of total glutathiones (GSH, GST and GPx) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were evaluated. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. Histopathological changes were observed using a cross section of gastric tissue. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of 13 components accounting for 77.7% of the essential oil from dried leaves. Oral administration of EOTa (54, 117 and 180 ml/kg) inhibited HCl/ethanol-induced ulcers. Lesion index was significantly reduced in ulcer induced animals treated with EOTa (HCl/ethanol + EOTa) compared to those ulcerated with HCl/ethanol but with no treatment given. Females showed a greater resistance to ulcers and gastric lesions occurred less often than in males. GSH, pH, enzymic antioxidants, and adherent mucus content were all significantly increased.ConclusionFrom the data presented in this study, it can be concluded that male rats are more sensitive to gastric ulcers induced by HCl/ethanol than females.

Highlights

Thymus algeriensis Boiss. et Reut. (Lamiaceae), popularly known as “mougecha” or “mazoukcha” is prolific in Mediterranean regions, mostly in North Africa, and is used in folk medicine to treat of stomach diseases
From the data presented in this study, it can be concluded that male rats are more sensitive to gastric ulcers induced by HCl/ethanol than females
The plant material was authenticated by Mr Hamdi Lazhar, Engineer and Director of Bouhedma Natural Park and the voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of the National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia (INAT) for future reference

Summary

Introduction

Thymus algeriensis Boiss. et Reut. (Lamiaceae), popularly known as “mougecha” or “mazoukcha” is prolific in Mediterranean regions, mostly in North Africa, and is used in folk medicine to treat of stomach diseases. A peptic ulcer is an excoriated area of the gastric or duodenal mucosa caused by gastric juice action It is both a chronic and recurrent disease, and the most predominant of the gastrointestinal diseases [1]. The stomach can activate many gastroprotective mechanisms to prevent injury from noxious agents Of these defensive factors, several studies have recently demonstrated that the gastric mucus offers protection [7,8]. Several studies have recently demonstrated that the gastric mucus offers protection [7,8] When it is overwhelmed or breaks down due to disease, the second line of defense includes intracellular acid neutralization, rapid epithelial repair and maintenance, and redistribution of gastric vasculature [9]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion