An investigation of ulcerogenic activity of ethanol extract from nuts of A. CATECHU in ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury in rats

Abstract

ARECA CATECHU L. (Arecaceae) nuts have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of different 
diseases. The present study was performed to investigate the enhancement of ulcerogenic activity of ethanol 
extract from nuts of A. CATECHU in ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Four groups of adult 
Sprague Dawley rats were orally pre-treated respectively with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution (ulcer 
control group), omeprazole 20 mg/kg (reference group), 250 and 500 mg/kg A. CATECHU nut extract in CMC 
solution (experimental groups) one hour before oral administration of absolute ethanol to generate gastric 
mucosal injury. After an additional hour, the rats were sacrificed and the ulcer areas of the gastric walls were 
determined. Grossly, the experimental groups exhibited significantly severe gastric mucosal injury compared to 
ulcer control group. Histological studies of the gastric wall revealed that experimental groups exhibited 
comparatively severe damage of gastric mucosa; along with edema and leucocytes infiltration of submucosal 
layer compared to ulcer control group. In conclusions, the present finding suggests that A. CATECHU nut 
extract enhanced ulcer production as ascertained grossly by significant increasing ulcer area, and histologically 
by comparatively increases in ulcer areas compared to ulcer control group.