Comparison of Gastric-ulcerogenecity Effect of Methanolic Extract of Capparis spinosa and Indomethacin in Rat

Several plants are used as analgesic in traditional medicine. Capparis spinosa (C. spinosa) is widely used for the treatment of gout and rheumatic arthritis. The previous studies have reported the antinociceptive effects of this plant.

The study was aimed at examining the C. spinosa’s gastric-ulcerogenecity effect in comparison to indomethacin.

The percolated extract of C. spinosa and Indomethacin were orally administered to the rats at 50,100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses, which were slaughtered after 4 hours. The stomach was detached, and 10 mL of 2% formalin was injected into it to fix the gastric wall internal layer. The stomach was then split by cutting along the greater curvature, and the lacerations in the glandular section examined. J-score was used to determine ulcer index.

The results indicated that percolated extract of C. spinosa administered orally in antinociceptive dosage and even 2,4 and 8 folds did not cause a gastric ulcer (J-score = 0) compared to indomethacin (J-score = 46 to 253) (P < 0.05).

Concerning the favorable analgesic effect of C. spinosa and lack of gastric ulcerogenecity effects, it seems to be a suitable choice for more pharmacological and toxicology examinations to use as analgesic.