A study of the protective role of olive oil versus licorice on indomethacin-induced gastric insult in albino rat

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction: Gastric ulcer is one of the common disorders of gastrointestinal tract that affects a considerable number of people worldwide. Licorice is one of the most widely used herbal drugs around the world; it exhibits many biological activities and possibly even has protective effects against chronic diseases. Aim of the work: This study was conducted to investigate the gastroprotective effect of licorice in the rats induced gastric ulcer by Indomethacin. Material and methods: thirty-five albino rats were used in the current study. They were divided into control (group I) and experimental groups. The experimental group was group II (rats were given indomethacin and were sacrificed six hours after drug intake) and group III(rats were given licorice administered orally by gastric gavage for 3 weeks, then they received indomethacin a single dose and were sacrificed six hours after drug intake. Results: The general cellular morphology of the gastric mucosa after indomethacin administration was greatly affected. Ulceration with sloughing of the mucosal surface epithelium and widening of glandular pits were revealed, together with loss of the regular parallel pattern of the gastric glands. The histopathological findings of group III revealed preservation of the normal tubular arrangement of gastric glands. Minor changes in the structure of gastric glands were observed in form of widening of the pits with no visible ulceration. In the licorice receiving group, the parietal cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm were observed in the middle part of the gland. Conclusions: Indomethacin is capable of producing injury to gastrointestinal mucosa. There is marked improvement of gastric mucosa in association with the use of licorice. The present study suggests that licorice should be used together with indomethacin for better gastroprotective effect.