Survey of protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Falcaria vulgaris on aspirin -induced gastric ulcer in rat

In traditional medicine of west of Iran, Falcaria vulgaris (Ghazzayaghi) were used for many purposes such as treatment of skin ulcer and gastric disorders. The extract of falcaria vulgaris showed prominent protective effect on gastric mucosa against ethanol adverse effects in our pervious study. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract of F. vulgaris on aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in rat. 24 young male rats (NMRI strain), with the weights of 180-230 gr divided into four groups (6 Rats/group):Case group, received 150 mg falcaria vulgaris extract /kg/day, Control negative group, received 1cc DW /kg/day, Control positive groups received 5 mg omeprazole /kg/day, ASA solvent groups received 150 mg falcaria vulgaris extract /kg/day, Gavage of the above mentioned doses continued for 14 days. Animals were deprived of food from day ten for 48 hour and the three first groups received ASA (200 mg/kg/day) in1cc solvent (carboxymethyl cellulose) orally for 3 days (12-14) and the last group received only ASA. Solvent 3 hours after the last dose, Animals were killed and their stomachs were dissected. Based on the size of ulcers and their mean number, the microscopic ulcer-index and cure rate were assessed for every stomach by use of stereomicroscope and graticule. In order to study ulcer formation and its healing, microscopic slides from the lesions were prepared. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. F. vulgaris extract (150 mg/kg/day) significantly (p<0.01) decreased stomach ulcer index and also increased cure rate to 91.73%, and 90.25% in comparison to negative control and positive control groups respectively. Histologic survey confirms macroscopic findings. F. vulgaris extract has significant beneficial effects on the healing of aspirin induced gastric ulcer.