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Background & objectives: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - induced peptic ulcer disease is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting many people worldwide. Rosa canina L. is a member of Rosa species that has been widely used as an herbal medicine in many countries. Rosa canina has therapeutic effects against various disorders through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential beneficial effect of Rosa canina on indomethacin-induced ulceration in mice.
Methods: Experiments were performed on male Swiss albino mice. Indomethacin (80 mg/kg, orally) was used to induce gastric ulceration. The extract of Rosa canina fruits (200 and 400 mg/kg/day) was given orally five days before the administration of indomethacin. Normal mice were used as a normal control group.
Results: Macroscopic evaluation of gastric mucosa revealed that indomethacin administration (80 mg/kg) produced apparent gastric mucosal ulcers, while pretreatment with Rosa canina (200 and 400 mg/kg) effectively protected gastric mucosa against indomethacin induced ulcers. Rosa canina significantly increased the level of glutathione (GSH) and decreased the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the gastric tissues compared with those in the control group.
Conclusion: Oral treatment with the Rosa canina fruit extract decreased the gastric ulcer induced by indomethacin through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms