Protective effects of edible Rhus tripartita (Ucria) stem extract against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in rats

- Alcohol consumption is a major cause of ulcer.
- EtOH exerts cytotoxic and inflammatory effects on gastric mucosa.
- RSE has a high concentration of antioxidant biomolecules.
- This study defines a new anti-ulcer activity of RSE.
- RSE protects against the oxidative stress induced by EtOH.

Rhus tripartita is a plant which is traditionally used for the treatment of ulcer and diarrhea in Tunisia. The aim of the study is to evaluate the antiulcer activity of methanol extract of Rhus tripartita stem (RSE).The phytochemical analysis of RSE was performed. Fasted rats treated with 80% ethanol (0.5 mL) to induce gastric ulcer, were pretreated orally with RSE at different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight (BW)) and ranitidine (100 mg/kg) and distilled water were used as a positive and negative control respectively.The results showed that the pre-treatment with RSE decreased significantly the ethanol gastric ulcer index value and preserved the integrity of the gastric mucosa by preventing the mucosal ulceration caused by ethanol. The RSE prevented alcohol-induced decrease in stomach antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. Total reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde tissue contents were also reversed in RSE-pretreated rats when compared with the negative control group.