Abstract
BackgroundFew data are available about the role of herbal extract loaded nanoparticles as an alternative safe medicine for the management of a gastric ulcer.AimThis work is targeted at exploring the physiological effects of pomegranate loaded nanoparticles (PLN) against an indomethacin IND-induced gastric ulcer and comparing the results with traditional pomegranate peel extract (PPE).MethodsTwenty-four rats were equally distributed into four groups: control, IND-treated, PLN-treated, and PPE-treated groups. Gross examination of gastric mucosa, and the calculation of ulcer and inhibition indices were done. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-10, gastric homogenate prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) were estimated. Mucosal endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS mRNA) expression was identified by qPCR. Histological and immuno-histochemical staining of Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and eNOS of stomach mucosa were performed.ResultsIn comparison with the control group, IND-treated rats showed visible multiple ulcers with ulcer index, serum MDA, IL-2 and IL-6 were elevated while IL-10, PGE2, NO, and eNOS mRNA expression were significantly reduced. Damaged surface epithelium with disrupted glandular architecture and heavy leucocyte infiltration of lamina propria was noticed. Immunohistochemical staining of stomach mucosa revealed marked increased TNF-α and reduced eNOS. Oral administration of PLN and PPE succeeded in improving the gross mucosal picture, and all biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical alterations.ConclusionBoth PLN and PPE potently alleviated IND-induced gastric ulceration via increasing TAC, PGE2, NO, eNOS mRNA, and protein expression. However, the healing effect of PLN was obviously greater than PPE-treated rats.
Highlights
A peptic ulcer is an inflammatory discontinuity in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, usually in the stomach and duodenum
Gastric ulcer is one of the most important problems in developing countries that may be attributed to the exposure of stomach mucosa to various harmful factors (Antwi et al, 2009)
The current study searched the effects of pomegranate loaded nanoparticles (PLN) against IND-induced gastric ulcers, and compared the effects with traditional pomegranate peel extract (PPE)
Summary
A peptic ulcer is an inflammatory discontinuity in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, usually in the stomach and duodenum. It is the most common form of gastrointestinal inflammatory disorders. Multiple studies consider IND-induced gastric ulcers in rats as a standard model to investigate the underlying pathophysiological and pharmacological mechanisms (Liu et al, 2015; Gomaa et al, 2018). Impairment of the release of gastro-protective factors such as cyclooxygenase COX, PGE2, bicarbonate, and mucus in addition to increased gastric acid secretion, free radical formation, and excessive generation of inflammatory mediators, e.g., TNF-α, are suggested to be the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of IND-induced gastric ulcers (Abbas and Sakr, 2013). Few data are available about the role of herbal extract loaded nanoparticles as an alternative safe medicine for the management of a gastric ulcer
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