Microscopical evaluation of protective effect of gazayagi (Falcaria vulgaris) extract on ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rat

Extract of gazyagi has protective effect against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and it decreases microscopical ulcer index in rat. At the last some years, treatment of peptic ulcer by medicinal herbs have been were very successful. Gazayagi (Falcaria vulgaris) is a member of Umbelliferae family. In the folk medicines of the west of country, this herb is used for healing of skin ulcer and peptic ulcer. This study is designed for microscopical evaluation of the protective effects of Gazayagi’s extract on ethanol (50%) induced gastric ulcer in rat stomach. In the evaluation of protective effect 35 young white male rats (NMRI) were divided to five groups (5 rat/per group) which include two control groups [negative (distilled water 10 ml/kg) and positive (ranitidine 50 mg/kg)] and three test groups. In the test groups three doses of extract were administrated orally prior to induction of ulcer. Immediately, animals stomach were removed after they were sacrificed and the stomachs were fixed in neutral buffered formalin (10%) then glandular part of the stomachs were divided to four segments. Sections of 5-6 µ in diameter were prepared from paraffin blocks. The slides were stained by method of H&E and were evaluated by microscope then ulcer index (microscopically) and curative ratio was accounted. Data were subjected to one way ANOVA and followed by Dunnett t-tests for comparisons. The results of microscopical protective effect indicated that ethanol extract of this herb with doses (50, 100, 150 mg/kg oral) significantly decreased the ulcer index (P