Evaluation of Gastroprotective Activity of Licorice and Turmeric Rhizome Aqueous Extract against Ethanol-Induced Gastric Injury in Male Wistar Rats

Gastric ulcers occur when the mucous layer covering the gastric wall is damaged. Curcuma and licorice are famous ancient herbs that have been widely used as food additives and medicinal herbs. The present study aimed to investigate gastroprotective activity of Curcuma and licorice extract (CLE) against ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in male Wistar rats.

Fifteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups and fasted for 24 hours with free access to water. The rats received different doses of CLE (200 and 500 mg/kg) or omeprazole (20 mg/kg) by oral gavage. One hour after the induction of gastric ulcer via absolute ethanol administration (5 ml/kg), the rats were sacrificed, and the stomach was opened along the greater curvature. Ulcerative lesions were observed and counted. Total juice acidity was evaluated. Finally, mRNA level of Bax and COX-2 was measured.

The oral administration of CLE (200 and 500 mg/kg) and omeprazole (positive control, 20 mg/kg) to rats remarkably attenuated gastric acidity and the number of ethanol-induced gastric lesions. Further examination of gastric mucosal homogenate revealed significant downregulation of Bax and COX-2 in the CLE-treated groups compared with the lesion control group. 

The findings of this study confirm the gastroprotective activity of CLE against ethanol-induced gastric injury.