Gastroprotective Effects of Pistacia atlantica Extract on Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats

This study aimed to determine the ulcer-protective effect of Pistacia atlantica extract against the lesions induced by ethanol. Pistacia atlantica has shown different pharmacological effects including antioxidant activity. The experimental model lesions pathogenesis was related to reactive species production. All the experiments were conducted on male Wistar rats (weight: 200 - 250 g), which were randomly divided into seven groups. Different doses of Pistacia atlantica extract were orally administered to the experimental groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Normal saline was orally administered to the ulcer control group (5 mL/kg). In addition, one hour before receiving ethanol (5 mL/kg), the positive control group received ranitidine (50 mg/kg) and the negative control group received normal saline (5 mL/kg). One hour after ethanol application, the animals were anesthetized, the stomachs were removed, and then the number and the length of gastric lesions, as well as the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) (as an index of peroxidation) and level of nitric oxide (as an important antioxidant agent), were determined in rat gastric mucosa. In this study, Pistacia atlantica extracts dose-dependently reduced the number of gastric lesions induced by ethanol. Pre-treatment with Pistacia atlantica extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly decreased the stomach MDA level and increased the stomach NO level. Based on the results, Pistacia atlantica extract can be effective in the prevention of ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in rats.