Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Coconut (Cocos nucifera) on Aspirin-induced Gastric Ulcer in Albino Rats

Statement of problem: Aspirin is extensively used as an analgesic, antipyretic, anti-thrombotic and antiinflammatory drug. It is safe in therapeutic doses but it is toxic in over dosage or in chronic injudicious use, when it causes acute or chronic toxicity respectively. Acute toxicity causes gastric ulceration and bleeding. Gastric ulcer developed when the imbalance occurs between aggressive and defensive factors of the stomach and situation favours aggressive factors enough to cause mucosal damage and lead to ulceration. Many antioxidants have been trying to study their protective effects of aspirin and others NSAID’s induced gastric ulcers. Coconut and its products are known for their antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, antithrombotic and antiulcer genic effects. Two different studies are documented about the effect of ethanolic extract of coconut on indomethacin induced gastric ulcers. Both are paradoxical, and show controversy at different doses of extract. The present study, therefore, designed in an attempt to observe the effects of high doses of ethanolic extract of coconut on aspirin induced gastric ulcers. This was conducted at University of Health Sciences Lahore. Thirty rats, weighing 175-220 gm, were divided into six groups and were treated with different doses of extract for 14 days and were sacrificed on 15th day of experiment. Methodology involved staining of stomach with H and E and Masson Trichome staining and was observed for desquamation, mucosal congestion, inflammatory Cells and necrosis. Blood samples were drawn for serum analysis of Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD). Findings: The results showed that ethanolic extract of coconut helps to heal the stomach ulcers and gives best results at 400 mg/kg dose and also helps to reduce oxidative stress which also helps to heal ulcers. Conclusion and significance: It was concluded that ethanolic extract of coconut provides a very reliable and cost effective adjunctive therapy to be routinely used in patients who take aspirin and aspirin induced gastric ulcers as well.