Protective effect of zinc and Pine barks extract supplement against Indometacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Abstract This investigation was aimed to study the effect of Pinus halepensis aqueous bark extract and zinc to prevent indomethacin induced gastric ulcer in rats. Thirty female albino Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups of 5 animals each (n=5); Group 1: normal control, Group 2: ulcer rats received normal saline, Group 3: ulcer rats treated with P. halepensis, Group 4: ulcer rats were treated with zinc, Group 5: ulcer rats were treated with P. halepensis + zinc and Group 6 ulcer rats were treated with Ranitidine for 15 days. Stomach ulcer was induced by a single oral administration of indomethacin (30 mg/kg). Various biochimical, physiologic and histologic parameters were estimated. Obtained results show that the ulcer index, pH and total acidity level were significantly reduced (p<0.05) and Pepsin activity was significantly increased (p< 0.05) in ulcer induced rats pre-treated with extract of P. halepensis, zinc and ranitidine when compared with indomethacin treated rats. The MDA level was significantly decreased and GSH level was increased (p< 0.05) in rats treated with plant extract and zinc. Histopathology of gastric mucosa confirmed the gastro-protection by plant and zinc treatment. The study reveals anti-ulcer and antioxidant properties were observed in bark aqueous extract of P. halepensis groups with a benefic effect of zinc to reduce oxidative stress and gastric ulcer induced in the rat.