The Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Plantago Major on Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

  Plantago major is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of hydro – alcoholic extract of Plantago major on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. 72 male Wistar rats were used in this experimental study. In treatment groups, animals received indomethacin (35 mg/kg) as single dose for induces stomach ulcer, then rats were gavaged by ranitidine (50 mg/kg) and different doses of the extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg) for 3 days. In preventive groups, animals were treated by ranitidine and different doses of extract for 3 days, and then indomethacin was gavaged on 4th day for stomach ulcer induction. Gastric mucosal damage and acid secretion were evaluated 6 hours later. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA. Acid secretion significantly decreased in therapeutic group that received 200 mg/kg dose of the extract and in preventive groups that received different doses of the extract (p<0.05). Also macroscopic results showed all doses of extract in preventive groups and 200 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg doses of extract in therapeutic groups significantly decreased ulcer index (p<0.05, p<0.01). Hydro – alcoholic extract of Plantago major can protect the gastric mucosa against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer, via decreasing of gastric acid secretion.