Gastroprotective Effects of Plants Extracts on Gastric Mucosal Injury in Experimental Sprague-Dawley Rats

Rubus crataegifolius (black raspberry, RF), Ulmus macrocarpa (elm, UL), and Gardenia jasminoides (cape jasmine, GJ) are well known for hundreds of years as folk medicines in China and Korea to treat various gastrointestinal disturbance. The present study evaluated the gastroprotective effects of these plants either single or in combination against HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis and indomethacin-induced ulcer in rat model. Stomach ulcer was induced by oral ingestions of HCl/EtOH or indomethacin. Treatment with RF, UL, and GJ separately or in combination was done 1h before ulcer induction. On HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis RF, UL, and GJ at a dose of 150mg/kg showed comparable antigastritis effect (less than 50% inhibition) with lesion index of 94.97 +/- 8.05, 108.48 +/- 11.51, and 79.10 +/- 9.77mm compared to cimetidine (45.33 +/- 23.73mm). However, the combination of RF, UL, and GJ at a dose of 150mg/kg with a ratio of 50:50:50 showed remarkable antigastritis effect with 77% inhibition. The observed lesion index at a ratio of 50:50:50 was 23.34 +/- 9.11mm similar to cimetidine (18.88 +/- 19.88mm). On indomethacin-induced ulcer, RF and GJ showed 38.28% and 51.8% inhibition whereas UL showed around 17.73% inhibition at 150mg/kg. Combination of RF, UL, and GJ at 150mg/kg showed strong antigastritis effect with 83.71% inhibition. These findings suggest strong gastroprotective effect of combined extract. In addition, these plants showed significant antioxidant activity in DPPH scavenging assay and antilipid peroxidation activity. Combination of black raspberry, elm, and cape jasmine might be a significant systemic gastroprotective agent that could be utilized for the treatment and/or protection of gastritis and gastric ulcer.