Study of the Protective Effects of Flaxseed Oil on Ethanol Induced Gastric Mucosal Lesions in Non Ovariectomized and Ovariectomized Rats

Gastric and duodenal ulcers affect a considerable number of people in the world. Young women have a lower prevalence of ulcer than age-matched men. Female hormones have modulatory role on the vascular permeability and increase the mucus secretion. Administration of progesterone to female rats decreases duodenal ulcerations. Flaxseed oil has anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to show the protective effect of flaxseed oil against ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Rats were classified into non ovariectomized and ovariectomized negative control groups, positive control groups where ulcer was induced by 10 mL kg(-1) ethanol 50% p.o., flaxseed oil (1.8, 3.6, 7.2 mL kg(-1) p.o.) groups in addition to a non ovariectomized ranitidine (50 mg kg(-1) p.o) group and an ovariectomized progesterone (18 mg kg(-1) p.o.) group. Flaxseed oil had antioxidant and protective effect on gastric mucosa against ethanol ulcerogenic effect in both non ovarectomized and ovarectomized rat groups. Flaxseed oil can be used for prophylaxis against gastric ulcer in susceptible groups.