Ashwagandha Seeds Extract Supplementation Afford Comparable Therapeutic Effect to Proton Pump Inhibitors in Stress induced Gastric Ulcer in rats

Background : Gastric ulcer (GU) is the most common disease with a prevalence of 20 – 60 per 100,000 population and accounts for 5 – 10% mortality worldwide. Along term occurrence with GU has maximum risk of stomach cancer. Ashwagandha can be used in herbal medicine for treatment of stress, headache, muscle pains and convulsions. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are drugs widely prescribed for many patients to treat gastrointestinal disorders, such gastro-esophageal reflux, and peptic ulcer. Aim : To investigate whether ashwagandha and/or PPIs could protect against stress induced gastric ulcer and if this protection is mediated the synthesis and release of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Material and Methods : Thirty adult male rats were randomized, into 5 groups/6 rats each Stress gastric ulcer was induced, both Ashwagandha and PPI were administrated orally for 15 days after induction of GU. Withdrawal of blood samples for chemical and spectral assay of antioxidant markers were done. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of TGF-β and TNF - α were done. Results: Both ashwagandha treated group and PPI treated group showed significant decrease in MDA level. The combined treated group showed much more decrease in the MDA level and There was a significant increase in GSH level in Ashwagandha treated group. Conclusion : Ashwagandha possesses promising stress-induced gastric ulcers healing activity. It improved stomach function, gastric pH, acid secretion, and reduced mucosal hemorrhagic lesions with restoration of the architecture of the mucosal layer in rats by its antioxidant activity, suppressing the inflammatory cascade, promotion of gastric barrier repair and inhibiting TGF-β/SMAD4 pathway.