Wound Healing Effect of Falcaria Vulgaris’ Leaves on Aspirin Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats

Introduction: According to the traditional use of falcaria vulgaris for gastric ulcer in the northwest of Iran, our pervious work showed protective effect of this vegetable on ethanol-induced gastric lesion. This study was designed to find out wound healing effect of hydroalcolic extract from falcaria vulgaris leaves on aspirin induced gastric ulcer in rats.

 Materials & Methods: 21 young male rats (NMRI strain), 190– 230g weight randomly divided into 3 groups; experimental, control positive and control negative (7 rats in each group). All animals had been exposed to starvation for 48 hours and then received oral ASA (200 mg/kg/day) in1ml carboxymethyl cellulose 1% solvent for 3 days. The experimental group, received 150mg/kg/day hydroalcoholic extract of falcaria vulgaris leaves (peculation methods), the control positive group received 200 mg/kg/day omeprazole and the control negative group received 1ml/kg/day distilled water for two weeks by gavages. Three hour after last treatment all animals were killed and stomachs were dissected. Number and length of ulcers determined using stereomicroscope and graticule and the ulcer index and curative ratio were calculated. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey test.  

Results: Falcaria vulgaris extract (150mg/kg/day) significantly decreased gastric ulcer index compared to control positive and control negative groups (P<0.01). Curative ratio in experimental group was significantly higher than the control negative 89.26%, and control positive 87.79% groups.

Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extract of falcaria vulgaris showed significant effective wound healing in aspirin induced gastric ulcer in rats. Further studies in this field including human clinical trials are highly recommended.