Ephedra Intermedia Alleviates Ethanol-Mediated Gastric Ulcer in Rats by Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Mechanisms

Ephedra intermedia has been used as a traditional therapy for various health purposes including gastric disorders. To validate its traditional use, we investigated the acute toxicity and the gastro-protective effects of E. intermedia leaf extract (EILE) in ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly separated into 5 groups: normal control (A) and ulcer rats (B) received orally 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC); C, rats ingested with omeprazole 20mg/kg; D and E, rats ingested with 250 and 500mg/kg EILE, respectively. After 60 min, groups B-E received an oral dose of absolute ethanol to initiate a gastric ulcer. After another 60 min, the rats were anesthetized and sacrificed. The toxicity trial showed the absence of any toxic signs in rats exposed to up to 5 g/kg EILE. Ethanol ingestion led to significant gastric tissue penetration indicated by decreased mucus content, reduced gastric pH, and severe mucosal lesions. Rats treated with omeprazole or EILE had significantly less stomach tissue damage, indicated by a suppressive effect on ethanol-mediated gastric grazes, improvement of gastric mucus and pH, decreased edema, and leukocyte extravasation into the submucosal layer. EILE treatment caused a significant up-regulation of the endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) and a reduction in MDA levels. Moreover, EILE-treated rats showed increased expression of PAS (glycoprotein) in the gastric epithelium and fundic glands. The gastro-protective effects of E. intermedia could be attributed to its positive augmentation of various stomach factors making it a potentially viable source of potent pharmaceuticals for ulcer amelioration.