EFFECT OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA ON STRESS-ETHANOL INDUCED ACUTE GASTRIC ULCERATION IN RABBITS

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe anti-ulcer effect of the aqueous extract of Matricaria chamomilla flowers (chamomile extract, CE)had been tested on stress- ethanol induced gastric ulceration in rabbits. The first part of the study was toinduce acute gastric ulceration by stress or stress–ethanol combinations. Stress alone was unable toproduce gastric ulcerations while ulcer was induced in the group of rabbits exposed to stress in thepresence of ethanol (5ml / kg ) with a mean value of ulcer index of 108.3mm ± 29 (n=8). Histopathologicalexamination was done to confirm the effect of stress-ethanol combination on gastric mucosa. The secondpart of the study was performed to investigate the pharmacological effect of various concentrations ofthe aqueous extract of chamomile (1%, 4% and 8%) on gastric ulceration. The extract was given 15minutes before ethanol administration. The results have shown a significant anti ulcer effect ofchamomile extract with mean values of ulcer index of 76. 4mm± 14.2 (P< 0.01); 11mm ± 14.2 (P<0.005)and 53mm±27.9 (P<0.01) for the concentrations 1%, 4% and 8% respectively as compared to the controlvalue of 133.25 mm±46.2 (n=8). It is concluded that the extract of Matricaria chamomilla flowers has antiulcer effect.