Anti-Ulcerative Potential of Egyptian Propolis against Oxidative Gastric Injury Induced by Indomethacin in Rats

The anti-ulcerative and antioxidant potentials of Egyptian propolis alcoholic extract as well as its total phenolic and flavonoid contents were evaluated. The content of total phenols and flavonoids of propolis extract were determined by spectrophotometric methods with an FC reagent and by the complexation reaction with aluminium chloride, respectively. The antioxidant activity was examined with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion radicals scavenging assays. Indomethacininduced ulcer with or without pylorus ligation was used as the gastric ulcer model in rats. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring stomach homogenate levels of GSH, MDA and NO. The effects of the extract on gastric juice volume and acid output were evaluated. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of propolis extract was 87.65 ± 0.5 mg GAE/g and 113.14 ± 0.86 mg QE/g extract respectively. The in vitro antioxidant activity was demonstrated by its ability to quench free radicals generated by DPPH and superoxide anion radicals, with the IC50 9.97 ± 0.45 and 11.29 ± 0.65 μg/ ml, respectively. Animals pretreated with propolis extract (200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w.) before indomethacin-induced ulcer model resulted in significant decrease in gastric ulcers and improved oxidative balance in gastric mucosal tissues. These findings indicate that Egyptian propolis possesses potent anti-ulcerative and antioxidant activities, corroborating the folk use of propolis preparations, and contributing for its pharmacological validation.